Elmer (Mac) McCracken passed away suddenly with his family by his side at Skagit Valley Hospital on Oct. 19, 2013. Mac was born on Oct. 30, 1938 in Conway, Arkansas to Elmer and Louise McCracken.

Mac enlisted in the Navy in 1957 in San Diego, Calif. He was married to the love of his life Phoebe (Penny) on Oct. 28, 1959 in Pasadena, Calif. Mac and Penny moved to Virginia where daughters Sharon and Linda were born. In 1964 they moved back to California where son, Troy was born.

In his 20 years of military service Mac was sent to Vietnam twice where he survived an injury and also was shot down in his helicopter. After Vietnam, he was a Navy police officer and worked with Navy Survival, the Seawolfs and Seebees. In 1966 the family moved to Whidbey Island where he eventually retired.

Mac was a long-time Boy Scout leader with Troop 59. He was very involved in Scouting activities. He also loved to take his family camping at Mount Baker.

After retiring from the Navy, Mac worked for a short time as a police officer on Whidbey Island and then moved to the Tri Cities where he was employed as a security guard for Hanford.

Moving back to the island, he found work as an EMT for Whidbey General Hospital, where he served as a union representative.

After another retirement in the early ‘80s he and Penny sold everything and went traveling. They ended up in Deming, N.M., having fun in the sun and managing an RV park. After New Mexico, they moved to Deere Park, Wash. to be near their son until health issues had them moving back to Oak Harbor.

The last 12 years you could always find Mac out in his scooter chair whistling his way around Oak Harbor. The town called him “The Whistler.”

Mac leaves behind his loving wife of 54 years Penny, daughters Sharon (Dan ) Davis of Cave Creek, Ariz.; and Linda McCracken of Burlington, Wash. and son Troy McCracken of Oak Harbor. Also surviving are grandchildren Tony Rideout, Jessica Garrett, Joshua (Brittany) Garrett, Luke, Grace and Emma McCracken and one great- grandson, Monty Rideout. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joann, in 1963, father in 1976 and mother in 2004.

Our husband, father, and grandfather will be deeply missed. In keeping with his wishes, Mac was cremated. Celebration of Life services are pending. Arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. Friends and family are encourage to share memories and offer condolences at www.wallinfuneral home.com