Greg McCracken of Anton, Colorado passed away February 2, 2015 at Presbyterian / St. Luke Medical Center in Denver after a long and courageous battle with a rare kidney disease. Greg was born in Brush, Colorado on April 13, 1961. He is survived by his daughter, Amy McCracken, step-son Nigel Steib, parents Frances and Jim Danenhauer, and Marlin and Alice McCracken; brothers Brent McCracken and wife Karen, Joe Griffin and wife Alice; sisters Stephanie Lambert and husband Don and Penny McCracken. Greg had special relationships with his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by Amy and Nigel's mother Dee Lynn; grandparents, Allen McCracken, Les and Elma Witham and D. H. and Estella Griffin.
Greg lived his entire life in Anton. He attended Arickaree School from kindergarten through high school and graduated in 1979. Other than participating in sports, and spending time with friends, he really didn't care much for school. Greg thought that his Dad could teach him just about anything he needed to know.
He had a passion for animals, especially horses and dogs. Some of his favorite memories were going to Little Britches Rodeos with his family and buddy Dave Callahan.
After experiencing kidney failure and being on dialysis for a year, his daughter Amy courageously donated her kidney in January 2007. Because of his endless determination, he beat the odds and lived years beyond the expectation of a donor recipient. In recent months, even though he was too weak to saddle his horse, he and Amy were riding a few days before he passed away.
Though he is gone, his love, strength, spirit, and laughter will live on through his family.
A funeral service was held Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Bethel Union Church south of Akron. Interment followed at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Greg's memory to the Praying Hands Ranch, an equine therapy center for the disabled, in Parker, Colorado.