Olan Edison McCraw Jr.

Olan Edison McCraw, Jr. of Mathis, Texas passed away November 15, 2016. Olan was born to Olan and Bertha McCraw in Corpus Christi, Texas, May 8, 1934. Six months later the family moved to what was to become his “Camelot” – Willamar, Texas, where Olan grew up. He graduated from Baylor University, attended Southwestern Theological Seminary, and received a Master’s Degree from Texas A&I Kingsville. He married Eugenia (Jenie) Braly in 1955. They moved to Mathis, Texas, where they have resided for the past sixty years. Olan was associated with the Mathis Independent School District for thirty-six years, the last twenty-two of those serving as Superintendent. He served in multiple capacities within the district before becoming the Superintendent. The one consistent job he started during the second week after he moved to Mathis was announcing Friday night football games for thirty-six consecutive years, missing only two times during those years. In 1973, he organized an American History tour to Washington D.C. for Mathis ISD seniors. The ten-day, four-thousand mile trip was taken on yellow school buses and was planned to show students historical America. Olan was the trip director and the lead bus driver for twenty years. Olan was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mathis serving as a Deacon and a Bible teacher. He was an ordained minister. He was a past president of the Mathis Rotary Club, the Gulf Coast Superintendents and Administrators Association, and the San Patricio County Teachers Credit Union. Olan is survived by his wife Jenie; his son David and wife Celeste McCraw; his daughter Bethany McCraw; two granddaughters; Jessica and husband Leon Durning and their daughter Eleanor; and Alicia McCraw. Extended family members include Marilyn Crone, Melissa Taylor, and Jordan Rippy. Viewing will be held Friday, November 18, from 5:00-8:00 PM at Dobie Funeral Home. A commemorative Funeral will be Saturday, November 19, at 2:00 PM in the First Baptist Church of Mathis with a Reception following in the Fellowship Hall. The Burial Service will be private. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jerome and Cindy Lee Sang for their years of care for Olan, and the staff of Altus Hospice who cared for Olan so tenderly during the last seven months of his life.