Leland (Chip) McCray

Leland (Chip) McCray, 95, of Columbia, passed away on November 19, 2012, at his home. Leland (Chip) was born to the late Albert and Sally Stephens McCray on April 12, 1917, in Hatton, Mo. On December 24, 1936, he was united in marriage to Doris Lee Smith. She preceded him in death in 2001. On January 6, 2008 he married Ruby Johnson, who survives him. Living nearly all his life in the Hatton Community, he was a graduate of Hereford High School in rural Callaway County. He was an active member of the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church in Hatton. Chip spent his lifetime in farming and construction. His greatest passion was, after the age of 40, learning to fly airplanes. He spent many hours flying his Cessna. He quit at the age of 81, when a slight plane accident caused him to give up his hobby. He will be greatly missed by his loving family. Survivors include his wife, Ruby; beloved yorkie, "Maggie"; a daughter, Linda Eberwein, of Columbia; grandchildren, Steven (Becky) McCray and Ron (Janis) McCray, Erin Catron (Russell), Jennifer Neu (Shawn); 11 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Dolores McCray, of Columbia; two sisters also survive, Alberta Weaver of Columbia, and Marjorie Anderson of Arizona; three nieces and three nephews, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Doris, a brother William, his only child, Larry McCray and beloved yorkie, "Corky". Services will be conducted by Rev. Terry Lippstrem, of Pleasant Grove Methodist Church, at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia, Mo. Visitation will be 1-4 p.m., on Sunday, November 25. Services will be held at the chapel in Memorial Funeral Home with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery at 11 a.m., on Monday, November 26. Memorials may be given to the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 3639 State Rd E, Auxvasse, MO 65231, or Olivet Christian Church, 1991 South Olivet Rd, Columbia, MO 65201, or a charity of choice.