David Ross McCracken, 70, passed away on Friday, August 29, 2025. He was born April 15, 1955, in Los Angeles County, CA, but spent most of his childhood in Cape Carteret, NC, son of the late Betty Mae Bishop and Ray Bishop.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville, NC. Military funeral honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, also in Jacksonville, NC.

David faithfully served his country in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant while serving in Germany as a Tanker. After his military service, he dedicated 43 years to the North Carolina Department of Insurance as a State Building and Code Enforcement Officer, retiring in 2021 with the highest honor from our state's governor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, honoring those who have made significant contributions through exemplary service and accomplishments.

Beyond his professional life, David was known for his adventurous spirit. He enjoyed hunting, boating, and flying planes, and he proudly embraced the title of "Grand-Dude" to his beloved grandchildren. Friends and family will remember him for his larger-than-life personality, sharp sense of humor, and his steadfast love for those closest to him.

He is survived by his daughters, Melanie McCracken of Los Angeles, CA, and Emily Garguilo and her husband, Frank, of Junction City, KS; grandchildren, Clara and Colin; brothers, Scott McCracken of Richlands, NC, and his daughter, Tina Muerer, and Ray Bishop Jr. of Peoria, AZ; and his sister, Debbie Chadwick and her husband, Darryl, of Marshallberg, NC, and their daughter, Allison Waters of Wilmington, NC. He will also be dearly missed by Chin McCracken of Jacksonville, NC, and his step-son, Aaron Frazier of Raleigh, NC, and sons, Ethan and Elijah.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Maria Antionette "Tonette" Asby of Aurora, NC.