Noel Cortez “Cordy” McCraw, 84, of Hendersonville, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Curtis McCraw and Nola Geneva Hyder McCraw, siblings, Pierce McCraw, Care Lean Collins, Dicy Ruth, Mary Jane Hill, Kelly McCraw and a close nephew, Bruce McCraw.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia “Pat” Bachman McCraw; children, Kevin Noel McCraw and his wife Debbie of Burnsville, North Carolina, Duane Alan McCraw and his wife Karen of Pittsboro, North Carolina, Sharon Kay McCraw Beacham and her husband Buddy of Venice, Florida and Carolyn Jean McCraw Maxwell and her husband Tommy of Leicester, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Kyle McCraw (ToniAnn), Christopher McCraw, Robert McCraw, Richard McCraw (Miranda) and Callie McCraw Cook (Dylan); first great grandson on the way; a sister, Ivory Gilliam of Upward, North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Christine Bachman of Rensselaer, Indiana and many nieces and nephews.
He was born and raised in Henderson County and graduated from Dana High School in 1957. After graduation he moved to Hobart, Indiana where he completed his Journeyman Machinist Apprenticeship at Universal Atlas Cement Company.
Cordy and Pat met in the summer of 1957. They traveled to North Carolina in 1958 and were married at his parent’s home in the Upward Community. In 1962 they moved to Dana, North Carolina where they lived and raised their family.
As a machinist he worked at Weiss Machine Company, Basic Ceramics, TDM, Automated Design and various other machine shops and occasionally made parts for local farmers.
He planted his first orchard in 1964 and grew apples with his brother Kelly for over 35 years.
Upon retirement Cordy and Pat grew vegetables to sell at the local flea market and farmed hay.
He loved collecting antique tools, working the flea market and researching his family history.
Cordy and Pat loved exploring the mountain roads of North Carolina and East Tennessee.
The family will receive friends Thursday night from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Jackson Funeral Service.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Friday in the Chapel In The Pines of Jackson Funeral Service with Rev. Dwayne Styles officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.