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BORN
1957
DIED
2006
Mark McCrary Obituary
Mark Drew McCrary passed away on Sept. 7, 2006.
He was born Sept. 25, 1957, in Harbor City, Calif.
His brother, Gene McCrary, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his parents Darold and Shyrle McCrary; a sister, Margo McCrary; nieces, Pilar and Hana Sumalpong; nephews, Nzinga and Njamu McCrary/Swader; and grandniece, Havana Snyder.
He was a member of the ILWU (International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union), Local 46, Port Hueneme, and worked there as a longshoreman for 30 years.
He lived most of his adult life in La Conchita. His life was prolonged some 18 months when his dog, Owen, wanted him to take a run on the beach. While at the beach, the La Conchita mudslide occurred. He lost everything.
He lived the last months in Ventura, with his family in close proximity. He spent a few days in the hospital, but near the end he wanted to go home to be with his dog, friends and family. He was artistically and musically talented and loved to travel.
He went to Amsterdam, Eastern Europe, Italy, the British Isles, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand, Fuji Islands, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. He had so wanted to see the Grand Canyon in this life and that is the first place he will visit on his new journey.
For those who knew him, even casually, it could be said that he may have been the most entertaining and generous man ever to grace our lives. His door was always open, he was ultimately genuine in all his relations with others, and there was always music in the air. He kept us laughing and singing to the very last moments. It is this way that he would wish to be remembered.
There will be no funeral services, but a memorial will be held at a later time.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark McCrary
Sponsored by Drew's family.
Shelly
February 23, 2026
I wish I could have known you and had a conversation with you <3
~Danny's daughter
Pilar Sumalpong
September 7, 2025
Uncle Drew, I miss you so much and still think of you every day. I wish you could be here to celebrate with Michael and I! You always wanted to see us together and hopefully you can see us now. We talk about you all the time & he proposed to me in front of your piano. You are still with me every single day and I am so grateful for that. I love you so much.
Hana
September 6, 2025
Uncle drew... every day I think about you because I see you in my daughter, Drucy. She is 11 now, and is beautiful, inappropriate and hilarious. She has the same spark that made you a legend among the human cartoon tribes. We love you always. You are impossible to forget. Love you, Hana
Michael Holmstrom
September 6, 2024
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Pilar
September 6, 2024
Uncle Drew: You would never believe what has happened, but then again you might. I found Mike Jr. (your little buddy) and things have been wonderful ever since. We talk about you all the time and I am so happy to have someone else who remembers everything, just like our family does. I miss you every day and also still feel like you are still here with us in so many ways. I love you so much.
Pilar
September 14, 2023
I love you uncle Drew and I still think of you every day.
margo mccrary
November 10, 2020
Uncle Drew, we think about you often and fondly. You have a niece named after you- Drucette McCrary-Avila. As I look over you memorial page almost fifteen years after we lost you, I can't help but think that your spirit is alive and well. We miss you and live on in your memory. Love you and know you have moved on to bigger and better.
September 6, 2020
Here is a photo of your older brother, Gene. He left us in September 1972. So sad. He was such a brilliant person.
Darold McCrary
September 6, 2020
Your mother has now joined you and your brother, Gene. Wish there was a hereafter so we could all be together.
These were happy times on the Umpqua River
Dad
September 7, 2019
September 6, 2019
Your mother passed away December 9, 2017 and has joined her 2 sons Gene and Drew. Oh how I miss all of you
Darold McCrary
September 6, 2019
Drew, your mother passed away December 9, 2017. It was so hard losing you and now my beloved Shyrle. Life has been hard without Gene, you and Shyrle.
December 14, 2016
December 14, 2016
December 14, 2016
August 29, 2016
Drew and Gene you are always in my thoughts. Dad
April 22, 2013
Drew and Owen
April 22, 2013
April 21, 2013
Drew, I think about you and Gene and how much we miss both of you.
Dad
Drew at Paso Robles
Darold McCrary
November 9, 2010
sandy mistretta
January 30, 2008
I have been thinking about Drew and Christina alot lately. I miss them both more now than when we first lost them. I find myself (especially when I am blue) wondering what they are up to...wishing I could visit them...knowing I would be laughing, drinking,talking...and feeling not so blue after an hour or so...always welcomed with open arms at a moments notice. I miss you both more than ever and pay a small homage to each of you often. I am sad. love, sandy
Buddies by the garden
July 10, 2007
April 7, 2007
There is never an hour that goes by that I don't think about you and oh how I miss you.
Dad
Corky Van Essen
November 26, 2006
Drew, you were always our fun-loving friend who made us laugh and feel good with your wit and sense of humor. And your caring and considerate ways were unlike anyone else. We had so many fun experiences through the years; you and Tom riding your horses to the east end to give Patty and I a ride, Jodie and I meeting you and Dave up at Ferndale, spending days at the beach, going to Ensenada, the concert at Hollywood Bowl with Jodie, nightclubbing in Santa Barbara. We both always loved our dogs and being with them at the beach. Those memories will always be etched in my mind and the memory of you as the gentle, loving, caring FRIEND that you were to myself and to so many others. I have no doubt that every one of your friends and family is a better person having known you and having shared life's experiences with you. Like Margo said, you were a warrior for truth. You had your loves, Drew, you were a lover of life. You loved your family, your friends, your dogs, music, you loved to travel, you loved the beach, you loved the great outdoors.
I love you Drew and I will miss you. Oh, will I miss you! I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to spend those last days with you, Jodie, Patty and your family. Your beautiful family, Drew, your beautiful sister, Margo, and her beautiful children; your nieces, Drew, your beautiful nieces Pilar and Hana, and your adorable nephews Ness and Jam.
I would like to extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to Darold, Sheryle, Margo, Pilar, Brian, Havana, Hana, Eric, Jam, Ness and Tyrone. If any one of you ever need to talk at any hour of the day or night call me at home 383-6626 or on my cell 407-7819. Sincerely and lovingly, Corky
Marty McClain
November 24, 2006
I want express my heartfelt sorrow to Margo and the McCrary family. Drew had a good heart and was a kind person. He was always happy to see me when I came up to La Conchita. I still have the banana trees that he gave me in my front yard. Drew was one of the good guys, I will miss him.
Marty Mcclain
Dani Leis
October 6, 2006
It's just like Jodie said, even after years of separation, the moment I returned to La Conchita and saw Drew, it was as if no time had passed between us. I love you Drew, for your happy happy joy joy attitude and your ever open, ever welcome arms. I know Chris was there to greet you on the other side - we will all miss you both.
Leis
Carmen Delgado
October 6, 2006
The family of Christina Delgado Kennedy sends their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Drew McCrary. Drew was a wonderful gentle soul. I know that Chris was by his side to comfort him, and met him with open arms on the other side. What a party they are all having now!
Darold McCrary
October 5, 2006
The McCrary family thanks each of you for your kindness, love and compassion that you have expressed so eloquently. Drew was all that each of his friends have expressed to his family and more. To the nieces & nephews, he was their Uncle Drew; to Margo, he was her Brother; to his mother and me, he was our Son. We have been so blessed and fortunate to have had him in our lives.
Lusha Koniecki
October 1, 2006
Lovely Drew
Remember when life was easy and laughter was free??? Loss effects made being, sour and tasteless as our souls shut down for a bit.
Life continued dull and bleak, then we had our hour, giving to each other… life came back to us again.
“How Drew and Lusha got their groove back”, was what the title was… and I know we’ll remember that forever.
Thank you my lovely friend
Now, you know that I love you… cause you’re funny, beautiful, real and true blue.
And you know that I’ll miss you, cause you’re the Mister… And Owen doesn’t have any friends’…haha
Thank you, for being you…. Your one of a kind and cool too-boot
Oh, how I’ll miss you my lovely friend
Lovely Drew…. I love you….
Sunshine, Lollypops and Rainbows everywhere…
Lusha
Thomas Derryberry
September 29, 2006
Drew, when we moved to Ventura, you and I were both in Kindergarten. You are always cheerful, and made everyone around you feel at ease. Back in the Sixties and early Seventies we spent a lot of time together.
You have so many talents. I remember coming to your house (which in those days was my home away from home) and trying to make music with you. You are a natural, and I was always amazed how you could hear a song and play it back by ear. As for myself I have no musical talent, but you are so humble that you would just keep on playing while I was pounding on the drums, with no sense of the sound that came out. In my case the sound was terrible, in your case beautiful.
As time went on and we got older we moved physically different directions. It is truly my loss that I did not get to spend more time with you as an adult. Years ago I would bump into you from time to time and catch up, but not near enough. If I could go back in time I would have made it a point to let go of the busyness of life and spend more time with lifetime friends, namely you.
Most of us in life can count our true friends on one hand, and have fingers left over. In your case, you can fill many hands. You made everyone feel like a true friend. You, and your family Drew always made me feel welcome. I have and still feel like you and your family, are my family, and I think the world of all of you. You all have always made me feel fortunate to be your friend.
Drew, you are one of a kind with a heart of Gold. I will rely on the many great times we had together, and that you have started a new adventure where you will be watching over all of us.
You are beautiful with a beautiful family, and we will all miss you. Even though I will not physically be present at your Memorial I will be with you in heart and spirit.
Love Tom
PS Darold, Shyrle, Margo, Pilar, Hana, and families. I am very sorry that I will not be attending the Memorial. My thoughts and spirit will be with all of you.
Bub Whitman
September 28, 2006
I never have the right words at a time like this but I want to try.
Know that you never left my heart, Drew. I somehow thought that you would be around forever and that whenever I needed to see your smiling face and feel the warmth of your touch, you would be there. I have so many happy memories of times spent with you, and maybe a few I’d rather forget. And when I think of you, I will always smile. You were pivotal in my life at a crucial time as you have been for many others. That’s one of the things that made you so special; why everyone loves you so much. I wish I could have seen you one more time. If there is a heaven, or a place we go after our time in this life is finished, I hope I have the honor of seeing you again. With much sadness and a heavy heart, good-bye Drew.
Hana sumalpog/McCrary
September 22, 2006
Memorial at the farm sept 30th- 2pm
Farm to Sea Parade (car decorations provided)
fFrom the farm to Seaside Park, Derby Club, Island View Room, second floor overlooking the sea at Surfer's Point
Please Come
805-6448233 Margo
805-653-0056 Hana
Rick Southam
September 19, 2006
I will miss you Drew. We had a lot of good times together & I will always remember you. I'm glad I got to see you before you left. Love you Brother!
Colleen Bundy
September 17, 2006
Thankyou Drew for all the beauty, kindess, music,dances, laughter and genuine Love that you gave so freely to every single person that was so blessed to have shared time with you on earth. I envy the Angels...I will always love You. Colleen
Razo Family
September 15, 2006
I grew up in La conchita and knew the McCrary family. I knew Margo and the family. They are a very well liked family.. My heart and prayers go out to the McCrary family, especially to Margo..
Jodie Delaney
September 15, 2006
Drew! NEED I REALLY SAY MORE? He truely without a doubt is the funniest and most entertaining person I or anyone will EVER! meet. I met Drew in 1970,when we were in 8th grade, down't Anacapa Jr. High.Most or many of my fondiest memories happened while in his company.He was so geniune and SO! funny. He was also sweet,kind,gentle,and very loving.And a great friend taboot! We loved each other very much. Even if we didn't see each other for years at a time, the second we'd be in one another's company it was as if we'd never been apart. I will always remember the good times and oh SO MANY adventures we have shared over the years.Truely a part of me went when he passed.Drew is the ONE person you could ALWAYS be yourself around; No questions asked. That is just one of the things I admired about him.He was genuine and pure.He NEVER had a fake bone in his body. He was always happy and joking and SO highly entertaining: SO VERY ENTERTAINING!! There was never a dull moment when Drew was around. I again would like to say to Drew's loving parents,Shyrle and Darold McCrary and his sister Margo; Thank-you so very much for sharing Drew with Corky,and Patty,and I those last days he was here with us.You were so generious and gracious in letting us spend so much time with him.It was beautiful and so selfless of you. I will always be grateful and beyond thankful for you kindness and generosity at such a difficult time.Hana, your singing to your Uncle Drew was a beautiful and treasured memory....And just one last note:Drew's Mom, Shryle pointed out a very appropiate observation after Drew had passed. She said "Oh, boy.They're gonna be busey up there now!" HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! I love you, Drew! Jodie(Yeary)Delaney
Tobi Noyes
September 14, 2006
We miss the joy and experiences of our lives shared with you Drew. You are missed dearly, though our lives have been enriched.
Love, Tobi Noyes and Paul Lerma
sandy mistretta
September 14, 2006
The older I get...the less I understand. You will be truly missed. I hope Christina and you are watching over us all...cocktails in hand. My deepest sympathy to your parents and family. Your courage and joy to the very end was inspiring.
Love from Sandy
sandy mistretta
September 14, 2006
The older I get...the less I understand. You will be truly missed. I hope Christina and you are watching over us all...cocktails in hand. My deepest sympathy to your parents and family. Your courage and joy to the very end was inspiring.
Love from Sandy
Pauline Murray
September 13, 2006
My sympathies to the family for the lost of such a great and wonderful man. Owen, you will be just fine.
joanie crittenden
September 13, 2006
to the family i cant even begin to say how sorry i am...he was my uncle drew...i knew him all my life since the day i was born...he and my parents arna and gordon crittenden were close friends with him and we all lived in la conchita together...most of my childhood memories involved him and his house....playing on his hardwood floors and playing the piano....he read me books and sent me a postcard from every place he went....i will always remember him and love him
Cara Desilva
September 12, 2006
Margo,Hana,Pilar and Mr. and Mrs.MCcrary there aren t words that provide comfort after a loss of this magnitude.Please do not hesitate to call me i will help with ANYTHING.Cooking,cleaning,dog sitting,making calls ANYTHING.It is all horribly overwhelming.Please margo if you need me call i don t want to intrude.My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love,Cara 200-7119 or 482-0456
Cara De Silva
September 12, 2006
Oh my sweet,wonderful,beautiful,whimsical Drew.There are nt words to express how very much i will miss your company....You were,are and always will be my soul mate
Your spirit left an indelible mark on all that were honored to call you their friend.Some souls are simply too gentle and radiant to exist on an earthly plane for too long so join your brother and cristina have some cocktails and enjoy the show!I love you and I am so sorry that i had to leave the party early.My life was turned technicolor when i stumbled into your cottage by the sea.Dancing in your kitchen to ricky lee.(Did nt mean to rhyme there)Your tenderness was a warmth that i had never known,I will find you again Drewberry we aren't even close to being through.Until then Fare thee Well....i will miss you and ache for you but mostly i will love you. Cara Drew
Me and my sweet Drew at Mussel Shoals
September 12, 2006
janet burdick
September 12, 2006
I will miss Drew....WE will all miss this kind and gentle soul his laugh and smile - he gave the best ole hugs!! God Bless you. My heart goes out to the family....
love, Janet
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