Jurel "Bub" Mccracken Jr.

Jurel “Bub” McCracken, Jr., of Clinton, MO, a larger-than-life man, myth and legend who fiercely loved his family and always put them first, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, surrounded by the family that he loved so dearly. He was 68 years old. Bub was born on March 14, 1954, in Mountain Home, Arkansas to Jurel McCracken, Sr., and Dorothy Joan (Poynter) McCracken.

Bub graduated from William Chrisman High School in the class of 1972. At 13 years old, Bub met his middle school sweetheart, Joni Lynn Ward, and on June 1, 1973, they were married in Independence, Missouri, and to this union two children were born: Josh and Jessica. Bub was a wonderful husband and father, who proudly took care of his wife and two kids. He was a hero to Joshua and Jessica was a daddy’s girl. Bub was a hard worker who was brave and professional and had served as a field training officer for Blue Springs Police Department and for the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 35 dedicated years. He loved living in the woods, and together he and Joni built two homes. Four years ago after Joni retired, they moved to Clinton, MO and enjoyed their dream home. Bub was a meticulous man, making sure his lawn was perfectly mowed and manicured and ensuring whatever he did looked good.

In Bub’s and Joni’s spare time, they enjoyed camping and casinos together. They spent winters traveling in their motorhome to Yuma, AZ, Rockport, TX, and they loved Michigan in the summers. Bub was very passionate about street rods and won various awards for over 40 years. He also enjoyed hunting and doing anything outdoors. Wherever Bub went, he always made his presence known with his loud booming voice. He always thought of himself as the funniest man in the room, as Bub was quite the socialite, who was outgoing and never met a stranger. He was always very accepting and proud of his future son-in-law, Sebastian, and loved his boxer dogs, Buddy and Ava and granddogs, Morgan and Salvador. Bub was well liked and loved by family and many friends and will be deeply missed.

Bub is survived by his wife, whom he just celebrated 49 beautiful years of marriage together with, Joni McCracken; children, Joshua McCracken and Jessica McCracken (Sebastian Brown); siblings, Carolyn (Eddie) Malcolm and Bryan (Angela) McCracken; sister-in-law, Cathy (Jim) Shull; nieces, Shawndra Malcolm, Amanda Shull, Christina Brown, and Kati Thompson; nephews, Doug, David and Darrin Brown, and Jake McCracken; uncle, Buddy Poynter; aunt, Shirley Gardner; and many great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his great-nephew, Jonathan Short; and parents, Jurel Eugene McCracken, Sr, and Dorothy Joan McCracken.

A visitation to honor Bub will be held on Tuesday, June 14, from 1-2:00 p.m., with a service to follow at 2:00 p.m., both at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence. MO. He will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens in Independence, MO.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)