SM SGT Eugene E. McCrite (Retired) Eugene (Mac) McCrite was born on October 28, 1928 in Bryant, MO. He passed away suddenly on February 26, 2002 in Yuma, AZ. Mac joined the Air Force in 1948 and served during the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict. He retired with a distinguished service record in August 1976. Upon retirement, her ran his own appliance repair business until his full retirement with his wife, Shirley, in 1988. They enjoyed motor homing across the USA, Mexico, Canada, and wintering in Mac#s beloved desert of Arizona. During his life he amassed a great deal of lifelong friends and loved ones. Mac never met a stranger and displayed himself as a gatherer of memories and a person that lived life to its fullest. He told stories from his dog sledding days in the wilds of Alaska to motorcycling, fishing and archery exploits throughout the US and Canada. We loved his tales of encounters with giant bats, wild boars, his love of the Orient, and numerous adventures of Tarzan. Mac#s life was devoted to his first love, Shirley, wife of 50 years, and his 2 beautiful daughters, Patti Jo Long (Bob) and Leslie Anne Wainhouse (Jerry). Papa#s love openly extended to granddaughters Stephanie Gaddsen (Mike) and children Nadine, Anisha and Khary; Jin#Ah and Jonathan Wainhouse; Allie Campbell (Sean Young) and sons Jordan and Austin; and Frances Long. Besides his immediate family, who reside in the Puyallup Valley, he is survived by brothers Leslie McCrite (Chong), Las Vegas, NV; Boyd McCrite (Jane), Payson, AZ; sister Joan McCrite, Mansfield, MO; loving in- laws #Little Sister#, Marti and Jim Blue; Richard and Linda Sinks, Carrolton, VA; Bill and Peg Sinks, Hampton, VA; Jen and Pat Hartman, Gaston, SC; Jeannette Jackson, Wilming- ton, DE; and his very special friends, Virgle and Alice McKort, Puyallup, WA. He will be missed by all, but remain in our hearts forever. Memorial service to celebrate Mac#s life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2002 at Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. Pub Date: 3/13/2002 Tacoma News Tribune