John Dillard McCracken

JOHN DILLARD MCCRACKEN, M.D. died Dec. 15,2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Leslie, Ark., to John W. and Myrtle Fendley McCracken. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Conway, Ark., graduating from Conway High School and later Hendrix College. He then moved to Little Rock, Ark., where he attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. John proudly served his country as a surgeon in the United States Army as a Major. John was an Instructor and Assistant Professor for the Department of Surgery at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, served as Chief of Surgery at Baptist Health. He then went into private practice as a surgeon in Little Rock, where he practiced at Baptist Health for over twenty-five years. He wrote many articles that were published in the American Journal of Surgery and in the Arkansas Medical Journal. John considered one of his major accomplishments that he and Dr. Mas Hara implanted the first pacemaker in Arkansas. He also performed the first successful pulmonary embolectomy in Arkansas. John was a member of the American and Arkansas Medical Associations, a Fellow of American College of Surgeons, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery. John was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church for thirty-four years, and a member of the Pleasant Valley Country Club, where he loved playing golf and cards with his PVCC friends. He was a pilot, a voracious reader and enjoyed traveling. John married Marlise Scott and they enjoyed 34 wonderful years together. They were the proud and loving parents of two sons, John Destin and Chase Fendley McCracken. John was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his devoted wife, Marlise; his sons, John Destin McCracken (Natalie) and Chase Fendley McCracken, his mother in law and father in law, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Scott Sr.; brother in law, Charles Scott Jr., sister in law; Donna Martens, four nephews, three great-nephews and two great-nieces, several cousins and many, many dear friends. Memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi St., Little Rock, Ark., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church or the Baptist Health Foundation. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.