John Marshall Cragin, was born in Joplin, Missouri on May 31, 1924, and passed away at his home of over 50 years on the morning of March 25, 2019.
He graduated from Joplin High School in 1942 where he participated in orchestra and band. He was active in the YMCA basketball league and Leader's club; he was class president his Junior year, president of the High-Y club and a member of the National Honor Society. He served in WWII from 1943-1946 and entered the United States Military Academy (West Point) in July of 1946, graduating with the class of 1950. In January of 1951, he shipped out to England.
John became engaged to Joy Spiva while she was on a summer group tour of Europe. They were married at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Joplin on October 13, 1951 and honeymooned back to England on a Cunard Ship.
Their first son, John Michael, "Mike," was born in USAF Hospital, Birdrup Park, England. Their first daughter, Christy, was born at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, N. M, where John was going through unit training and was promoted to Captain. They spent the next two years at Purdue University, where John earned an MS degree in Engineering Science after which John began teaching at the USMA at West Point. His second son, Evan Scott, was born at West Point Station Hospital. Second daughter, Gay, was born at Joplin’s Freeman Hospital, while John was in Vietnam.
Back from Vietnam, John’s next assignment was at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, N.J. His final duty was in Fort Clayton, Canal Zone, Panama. He applied for retirement from the Army and upon return to Joplin, began a position teaching Physics and Mathematics at the new four-year Missouri Southern College (MSC), now MSSU. John received his doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 1979. He retired for the second time after 22 years at Southern as the department head of Computer Information Systems.
John was very active in the Joplin community, serving on many boards of directors including Freeman Hospital, Joplin Little Theatre, Joplin Family Y, YWCA, Jazz in Joplin, Ozark Center, Joplin Historical Society and Joplin Museum Complex; Joplin Rotary Club, and SW Missouri Chapter – American Red Cross. John was also a frequent contributor to the Joplin Globe opinion section.
In 1973 Jerry Connor and John wrote “Let’s Take a Step,” a musical comedy celebrating Joplin’s hundredth birthday. It was a labor of love for John and he deemed it “dad-burned entertaining.” It was a huge success. He and Jerry wrote another musical celebrating the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. In 1995, John and Joy jointly received the Missouri Arts Award from the Missouri Arts Council, presented by the governor.
Their first son, John Michael, "Mike," was born in USAF Hospital, Birdrup Park, England. Their first daughter, Christy, was born at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, N. M, where John was going through unit training and was promoted to Captain. They spent the next two years at Purdue University, where John earned an MS degree in Engineering Science after which John began teaching at the USMA at West Point. His second son, Evan Scott, was born at West Point Station Hospital. Second daughter, Gay, was born at Joplin’s Freeman Hospital, while John was in Vietnam.
Back from Vietnam, John’s next assignment was at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, N.J. His final duty was in Fort Clayton, Canal Zone, Panama. He applied for retirement from the Army and upon return to Joplin, began a position teaching Physics and Mathematics at the new four-year Missouri Southern College (MSC), now MSSU. John received his doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 1979. He retired for the second time after 22 years at Southern as the department head of Computer Information Systems.
John was very active in the Joplin community, serving on many boards of directors including Freeman Hospital, Joplin Little Theatre, Joplin Family Y, YWCA, Jazz in Joplin, Ozark Center, Joplin Historical Society and Joplin Museum Complex; Joplin Rotary Club, and SW Missouri Chapter – American Red Cross. John was also a frequent contributor to the Joplin Globe opinion section.
In 1973 Jerry Connor and John wrote “Let’s Take a Step,” a musical comedy celebrating Joplin’s hundredth birthday. It was a labor of love for John and he deemed it “dad-burned entertaining.” It was a huge success. He and Jerry wrote another musical celebrating the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. In 1995, John and Joy jointly received the Missouri Arts Award from the Missouri Arts Council, presented by the governor.
John is preceded in death by his mother, Georgia Marshall Cragin; his father, John Harold Cragin; his step-mother Opal Higdon Cragin; and his sisters, Betty Marshall Eckhart and Mary Evelynn Prescott.
John is survived by Joy, his wife of 67 years, his children Mike (and Juanita), Christy, Scott, and Gay. He has 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as ‘Grandfather, Sir’. John was one of those people who never stop learning. John had a unique sense of fashion, a great sense of humor and a sincere love of our great country. He enjoyed music and played the bagpipes as well as his grand piano. He wrote and published many songs for piano with his mother. He also wrote and published a book entitled ‘The Manhood of God and other commentaries’. John loved playing cards with his Jolly Boys group and with his family.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who helped care for John: Ruth James, Vicy Williamson, Kathy Johnson, Karen Jordan, Kathy Spangler, Clyde McClain, Pat Stokes, and Debbie Cunningham. Their love and support have meant the world to the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks your support for the MSSU Cragin Scholarship, Joplin Little Theatre, or Connect2Culture Cornell Complex c/o the mortuary.
Funeral services for Mr. Cragin will be held on Friday morning March 29, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Joplin, Missouri. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through www.thornhilldillon.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.
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