James "J.D." David McCrady Sr. '52

James David (JD) McCrady, 92, of Bryan College Station, passed away March 14, 2023. A memorial service will be held at the A&M Church of Christ in College Station at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers.

JD was born June 30, 1930 to Homer and Lucille McCrady in Beaumont, TX. He was the oldest of three children including his brothers, Richard and Larry McCrady. He graduated from Southpark High School in Beaumont, TX in 1948 and continued his education at Texas A&M University. While at Texas A&M, JD was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

JD received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas A&M University in 1952, his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Texas A&M University in 1958, and his PhD in Physiology from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in 1964.

JD was an instructor at Texas A&M University in Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology from 1958-1960 and was Assistant Professor in Veterinary Physiology at Texas A&M University from 1960-1962. JD served the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine for 35 years. He retired in 1999 as department head of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology.

Dr. McCrady was proud to assist in a partnership between Texas A&M University and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and Provisions. He enjoyed teaching sustainable agricultural and farming practices in-country.

Dr. McCrady was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Physiological Society, Texas Academy of Veterinary Practitioners, American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN), Sigma Xi, Alpha Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges.

Dr. McCrady was a member of the A&M Church of Christ where he served as a deacon for 25 years and was an integral part in establishing the Lincoln House of Hope in College Station. He enjoyed sharing with those less fortunate. This was the basis for him helping establish Lincoln House of Hope. Their mission is to bring life skills to those in need. He was also a 4-H leader, on the executive board of the Bryan High School Athletic Club, and coached several youth baseball teams.

Dr. McCrady was a quail hunter, an avid fisherman, and a lover of Aggie athletics. He appreciated animals and committed his life to caring for them. He applied those learnings to human medicine. He raised beautiful English pointers and found joy training and caring for them. He worked to get an education aligned with his passion.

Dr. McCrady is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Lucille McCrady, and his brother, Larry McCrady.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 72 years; brother Richard (and Jean) McCrady of Brownsboro, AL; children James David McCrady Jr. of College Station, TX, Karla Diane McCrady of College Station, TX, and Darla Kay McCrady of Bryan, TX; grandchildren Jamie Allison McCrady of College Station, TX, Julie O’Neal (and Jesse) Jardine of Houston, TX; and great-grandchildren Jude, Heidi, and Nolan of Houston, TX.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed in Dr. McCrady’s name to the Lincoln House of Hope, College Station, TX or Hospice Brazos Valley.