David Lawrence McCracken

NAPA, Calif. – David Lawrence McCracken, 88, of Napa, Calif., passed away on Sept. 12, 2024.

He was born to Lawrence Porter McCracken and Alice Pearson McCracken and grew up on his parent’s dairy farm in the state of Maine, where he learned the value of hard work as a young teenager. He attended Greely Institute in Cumberland where he was active in baseball, captain of the basketball team as a senior and played leads in the school musical productions all four years.

During his high school and college years, David also worked throughout New England during the summers in the construction industry, which was to become his lifetime career. He was the first in his family to graduate from college where he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1959 from the University of Maine and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.

Following a short stint in the Army, David was recruited by the California Department of Water Resources as a young civil engineer during the development of the California water system. After he moved to California, he went on to play American Legion baseball and fast pitch softball in Sacramento, Calif. for several years.

In 1964, David left State employment to pursue a career in the heavy construction industry which was his lifetime ambition. During the next 36 years he was involved in the construction of freeways, dams, large canals and airports in the seven western states in every capacity ending as the president of the company when he retired in 2000. Subsequent to his “retirement”, he had been involved in consulting with DOTs on a national level and performed arbitration work on projects within California.

David was first transferred to Napa, Calif. in 1968 to become the project manager for the construction of Hwy 80 from Cordelia, Calif. to American Canyon, Calif. It was during that period that he met the love of his life, his wife Betsy, and they were married in 1970. They have had a full life traveling in the U.S. and Europe as well as many moves during his early career. A favorite vacation has been Maui, Hawaii in January for many years. They have lived in the beautiful Napa Valley since 1982.

David had been an active church member since childhood and lived his life as close to the Bible’s teachings as possible. He spent several years associated with the Billy Graham Crusades team where he was introduced to all the principals.

David is survived by his wife, Betsy; daughter, Leslie and her husband Keith, daughter, Laura, and daughter Libby and her husband Matt. Also, by his grandchildren Alex, Katie, Anthony, Kevin, Isabella, and Abigail who have been a blessing to his life. He is also survived by his brother, Peter McCracken and his wife Susan.

A private burial service was held at the Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, Calif.