Mr. Daniel “Dan” McCranie, age 79, beloved husband of Wanda McCranie of the Zaidee Community of Tarrytown passed away peacefully on Monday, June 14, 2021 at Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia.
Born in Dodge County, GA, Dan was the fourth of five children born to the late Johnnie Daniel McCranie and Jewell Elizabeth Brown McCranie. He grew up in the Chauncey / Eastman area until moving to Macon at the age of 11. At the age of 12, after school, in the afternoons he would sell peanuts on the streets of Macon to help with financial needs of the family. At 15 he started with Merita Bread Company working up to the position of Route Salesman. While working with Merita Bread he married, began his family and worked with his brother, on off days, wiring new residential housing.. He later worked with MAXIM Chemical in Macon, starting out sweeping the floors, working up to the position as an Electrician. Dan moved his family to Warner Robins and joined Continental Can, in Perry, GA, as a Machinist. He became the President of the local United Steel Workers Union and worked tirelessly to obtain better benefits for his coworkers. Through arbitration he won settlements that enabled other union members to continue living their lives after Continental Can began outsourcing their needs to South America. During the outsourcing process, Dan was responsible for the local disassembly of the plant and reassembly and production startup in Argentina. After successfully transitioning Continental Can through this phase; he retired in 1996. He later worked with Five Star Automotive in Warner Robins for a short time before joining the ARC of Macon. While working with the ARC, he was the Facilities Maintenance Director; responsible for the upkeep of over twenty group homes.
In the late 1990s, he met his future wife, Wanda, in a singles Sunday School class at Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Macon. She being a sixth grade school teacher and Dan being retired; he built many of the props and interactive learning tools used in Wanda’s DISCOVERY and “Hands On / Interactive” style of teaching.
After retiring, Dan worked, through the church, in the Mission Fields of Mexico and Appalachia as well as with an orphanage in Costa Rica.
In 2004, Dan and Wanda returned to her family homestead in the Zaidee Community of Tarrytown. Since settling in the Soperton area, they have become members at Soperton First Baptist Church.
Dan enjoyed cars; but they had to be Fords. In the 1960s he raced the Crazy Eight Dirt Tracks of Macon and Warner Robins. Later in life he undertook restoring and showing antique cars; for which he brought home many awards and trophies.
Dan had a long and respected journey through Free Masonry, which began on January 3, 1967 at Fort Hawkins Lodge No. 418 F & AM, Macon, Georgia. He has been a Master Mason for over 50 years and was presently a member of Harmony Lodge No. 405, F & AM, Soperton, Georgia, the Scottish and York Rite Bodies and the Alsih Shrine Temple in Macon. He had held every position in the Lodge as he progressed through the Masonic order. For over fifteen years he served as District Deputy to the Grand Master and had served as Treasurer of Harmony Lodge for many years. Dan was a source of authoritative and correct instruction for many aspiring masons; new and old. When he spoke, fellow masons took note and listened intently. He was a staunch supporter of the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and the Georgia Masonic Home for children in Macon. If there was a contingent of fellow Masons visiting and supporting other lodges around the state or making the annual trek to Macon for Grand Lodge; Dan McCranie was there. Although tall and imposing, no man ever stands as tall as when he stoops to help a child. Dan MCranie’s gentle giant presence and servant / leader demeanor will be missed by many masons though out the State of Georgia.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by: a daughter, Cynthia Elizabeth McCranie Pennycuff, and siblings, Leila Mae “Aunt Mae” McCranie Ramage, Henry Jack “Uncle Happy” McCranie and Johnnie Elizabeth “Aunt Susie” McCranie Graham.
Dan leaves behind his wife, Wanda Ann Avera McCranie, Tarrytown, GA, children, Donna Lynne McCranie Miles, Loganville, GA, Sheree McCranie Meyers (John), Lincolnton, GA, Lisa Michele McCranie, Enterprise, AL, his only son, Johnny Daniel McCranie, Appling, GA, Tiffany Renee Cullens, Daphne, AL, Courtney Elaine Blake, Valdosta, GA, his only living sibling, William James McCranie (Sherry), Lizella, GA, grandchildren, Kent McCranie, Dustin Miles, Brandon Meyers (Melissa), Nicholas McCranie, Whitley Webb (Alex), Jordan Mock, Brooklin Mock, Savannah Miles, Garrett Mock, Blake Cullens, Jackson Cullens, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 17, 2021 in the Williams Chapel of Sammons Funeral Home with Reverend Chad Cofield officiating.
Mr. McCranie will be laid to rest with Masonic Honors at Tarrytown Cemetery.
His grandsons will serve as active pallbearers.
All fellow masons attending are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers.
His family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the funeral home or friends may call at his residence.
If so desired memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children- Greenville, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605 or to the Georgia Masonic Home for Children,
P. O. Box 4665, Macon, GA 31208
Please share a memory, leave a condolence message and sign the online guest register at www.sammonsfuneralhome.com
SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, The Tradition Since 1917, Soperton, Georgia
