Danny Earl McCraney, 70, of Moorhead, went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, October 14, 2018.
Danny was born March 6, 1948 in Moorhead to Earl and Lois McCraney. He was a lifelong resident of Moorhead. Mr. McCraney attended and graduated from Moorhead High School and furthered his education at Sunflower Junior College and Delta State College. In 1972, he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. After graduation, Mr. McCraney worked for his father and uncle, James McCraney in the auto body shop in Moorhead where he took over in in 1978 after his father passed away. In 1986 he purchased City Service and Garage from Mr. Paul Tenhet and renamed it Moorhead Service and Garage where he mostly employed family members until his retirement in 2010. Danny met his wife, Frances, in 1976 and married her February 10, 1979. During their marriage they raised two children, Mitch Ramage, Sr. and Dana McCraney Branch. Mr. McCraney became a firefighter with the Moorhead Fire Department in 1966 where he eventually became Fire Chief in 1978 after his father passed away. Danny held the position as Fire Chief until his retirement in 2010. He was very instrumental in the construction of a three-bay fire station in Moorhead and the purchase of three fire engines for the city with the help of Sunflower County. Danny was instrumental in the upgrade of the Moorhead Cemetery and spearheaded the refurbishment of a 1948 antique fire engine. Mr. McCraney was known and loved by so many and he loved everyone. To his family he was the rock, the one they turned to for guidance. To his friends, he was known as “Fats” and he loved all his friends so much. He was the kind of man who was selfless. He would do anything for anyone, especially his family and friends. But rest assured that when you met him or even knew him for a while, he would either leave you laughing or swearing. Danny was that kind of man.
Mr. McCraney was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lois McCraney and brother, Ricky McCraney.
He is survived by his wife, Frances McCraney of Moorhead; son, Mitch Ramage, Sr. of Greenville; daughter, Dana McCraney Branch and her husband Michael of Moorhead; sister, Shirley Mizell of Nashville, Tennessee; nephews, Ken Watkins and his wife Kim of Nashville, Tennessee, Chris Mizell and his wife Liz of Nashville, Tennessee, and Michael Watkins of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and five grandchildren, Mitch Ramage, II of Moorhead, Zachary Ramage of Moorhead, Jayden Ramage of Pontotoc, Parker Branch of Moorhead and Kaley Branch of Moorhead.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 16, 2018 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Moorhead Baptist Church in Moorhead. Burial will follow in Moorhead Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net