John Robinson McCravy Jr.

1932 - 2021

John Robinson McCravy Jr. passed away on December 8, 2021. He was born in Easley, S.C. on December 7, 1932 as the eldest son of Hon. John R. McCravy Sr. and Verna McCravy. He graduated from Easley High School in 1950 where he was a member of the Beta Club, and played in the Easley High School marching band. He was admitted to Clemson University in 1950, where he studied architecture and played his gold-plated King trumpet in the Clemson Tiger Marching Band and the Clemson "Jungaleers" dance band. He traveled with the marching band to the Orange Bowl in 1951 and the Gator Bowl in 1952.

In 1952, John accepted an appointment by Congressman Bryan Dorn to the United States Naval Academy. While at the Naval Academy, he was a member of the 21st Company and participated as a member of the Physics Club, the Midshipmen Concert Band, and the Drum and Bugle Corps. As a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps he distinguished himself as a composer and marched in the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. As a midshipman, he became a "Shellback" while serving on the USS Macon. He also served aboard the Essex-class attack aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. John graduated the Naval Academy in 1956 and was commissioned by Admiral Arleigh Burke, Chief of Naval Operations.

John served his country as a U. S. Navy pilot. He became carrier qualified, landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Antietam. He flew various aircraft at the outset of the Cold War including the SNB seaplane and the Lockheed Super Constellation radar configured aircraft.

Following honorable service in the Navy, John worked as an aerospace engineer, notably for NASA and Boeing at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama during the 1960's. He participated in various projects in the Apollo Program including work on the Saturn V booster rocket, the skirt between stages on the Apollo rocket, and the Lunar Rover.

In 1972, after re-dedicating his life to Christ, John relocated to Greenwood, S.C. where he served as an instructor in various courses including robotics, manufacturing technology, drafting, and engineering graphics. He was responsible for establishing the four year bachelor degree program in engineering technology that can be completed entirely on the Piedmont Tec campus in Greenwood. He also served as a professor in the Engineering Graphics program at Clemson for six years.

John is survived by his wife Margaret of 64 years. They have three children, Rep. John R. McCravy III (Dana Shaw), of Greenwood, S.C., Col. Laura McCravy Hunter (Col. Jon "Kip" Hunter) of Greenville, S.C., and CW3 Kevin B. McCravy (MSgt. Patricia McCravy) of McCormick, SC. They have seven grandchildren: John R. McCravy, IV (Amelia "Amy" McCravy) of Greenwood; Kelley McCravy Robertson (Dillon Robertson) of Grand Junction, Colorado; Special Agent Brian Hunter (Susan Hunter) of Prosper, Texas; Susan Hunter Koski (Kevin Koski) of Birmingham, Ala.; Kelsey McCravy Simms (Paul Simms) of Triangle, Va., Shelby P. McCravy of McCormick, SC, and Phoebe McCravy of McCormick, SC. They have seven great-grandchildren: John R. McCravy V, Ruth Elaine McCravy, Lydia June McCravy, Callie Joy McCravy, Caroline Hunter, Luke Hunter and Kade Koski. Also two brothers, Paul and Edwin McCravy, both of Columbia.

John's many hobbies after retirement included drafting and design, fine woodworking, inventions, and automobile mechanic work. He was a member of Calvary Chapel of Greenwood and was a member of the masonic lodge for 67 years.

His greatest wish was for all he knew to accept the greatest gift and sacrifice God has given us-His Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins that we may have eternal life. He underlined in his Bible "To live is Christ and to die is gain."

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday at Calvary Chapel in Greenwood with Rev. David Evans officiating.

Private family will burial with Military Honors will be in the McCravy Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday evening at Blyth Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Chapel of Greenwood, 2024 Woodlawn Road, Greenwood, SC 29649 or the Humane Society of Greenwood, PO Box 49776, Greenwood, SC 29649.

For online condolences, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com

Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the McCravy family.