Eugene McCracken

1932 - 2014

Eugene Luke McCracken - SAVANNAH - Eugene Luke McCracken was born in Savannah in 1932, son of the late John and Estelle Powers McCracken. He graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1950 and from Armstrong Junior College two years later. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Mercer University in 1954 and his Bachelor of Laws Degree at the University of Georgia Law School in 1957. He was admitted to the bar in 1958 and opened his general practice of law in Savannah. In 1964 he married Helen Kelly Morekis. McCracken served as assistant district attorney from 1962 to 1963 and served as judge pro tem. of Juvenile Court from 1974 to 1980. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1978. He is a member of the St. Andrew's Society of Savannah, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and a former member of the Irish Heritage Society. He served as president of the Hibernian Society of Savannah, 2004-2005. During his term as president, he organized the first Valentine's Day Dinner Party for Hibernian Wives, it being held at the Savannah Golf Club. He was the first president of the society to organize a committee to prepare for its 200th Anniversary Celebration. He personally invited Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to speak at the society's Annual Dinner in 2005. He also played a central part as member of the committee which planned and held the banquet which celebrated the centennial of the joint meeting of the Hibernian Society and St. Andrew's Society (1908-2008). In addition, he served on the board of directors of the United Way of Savannah, 1973-1974; board of directors of Savannah Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1966-1968; member of the Chatham County Zoning Board of Appeals, 1967-1970; president of Armstrong State College Alumni Association, 1973 and 1983; president of the Family Counseling Center of Savannah, 1964-1965;president of the Sertoma Club of Savannah, 1965-1966; and member of the board of directors of the Humane Society of Savannah, 1978-1980. He was named Savannah's Outstanding Young Man of the Year for 1966 and received the Sword of Hope Award from the Chatham County Cancer Society in 1967. Politically astute, McCracken has been a member of the Chatham County Republican Party since 1978.He served as chairman of the County Republican Party, 1985-1987; chairman of the First Congressional District of Georgia Republican Party, 1987-1989; and was a regular delegate to the Republican National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, 1988. Gene is survived by Helen, his wife of fifty years and a brother, John McCracken who lives in Charleston. His only sister, Mary, died last year. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, and many beloved relatives in western Kentucky on his father's side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Bonaventure Cemetery. Remembrances may be made in Gene's memory to any charity dedicated to relieving child abuse or cruelty to animals. Please sign our on line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com Savannah Morning News March 7, 2014 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.