Death of Ian J. McCrae

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing on May 12, 2011, of Ian J. McCrae, former Executive of the Department of Interpretation of the Division of Overseas Ministries and father of DOM/CGMB board member, past CGMB Co-Chair, and former missionary, Reverend Linda McCrae. After serving for several years with the Division of Homeland Ministries (now Disciples Home Missions), Ian joined DOM in 1984 to work on Global Issues and Interpretation until his retirement in 1990. 

A native of Canada, Ian earned his A.B. degree from the University of Toronto, a B.D. from the University of Chicago as a Disciples Divinity House Scholar, and an S.T.M. from Yale Divinity School. In 2006 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. At the time of his death, he resided in Raymore, Missouri, and was a member of Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, Kansas, where he had served as a volunteer assistant minister. 

While we mourn the passing of Ian, we thank God for his life and ministry, his legacy of human rights, social and economic justice advocacy, and his efforts to raise consciousness on (in his own words) “what God is doing in the world and, therefore, what the Church must be about.”

Ian is survived by his wife, Cynthia, five children – Carol, Linda, Maureen, Bruce, and Doug – and grandchildren.  A memorial service will be held at Saint Andrew Christian Church, 13890 W. 127th Street, Olathe, Kansas, at 3:00 p.m., on Monday, May 16, 2011.

Messages may be sent to Cynthia McCrae at 500 North Mott Drive, Apt. 111A, Raymore, Missouri 64083, and to Reverend Linda McCrae at pastor@indyccc.org or 1524 E Vermont Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46201-3047.

Those wishing to offer gifts in Ian’s memory are invited by the family to consider gifts to St. Andrew Christian Church and to Global Ministries, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis Indiana 46206.