Leonard “Len” D. McCracken, 71, of Arlington Heights, retired in 1991 as a manager at Wilson Sporting Goods Co. after 41 years of service.
Mr. McCracken, who was born in Highland, Ill., died Monday in his home.
He graduated in 1945 from McHenry High School, where his late father, Leonard, was head athletic coach and a history teacher for 43 years.
Mr. McCracken played basketball, baseball, football and golf, and was a member of the marching band and the choir at McHenry High, where the athletic field is named after his father.
After graduating high school, Mr. McCracken served in the Navy on the USS Lexington stationed in Japan during the occupation after World War II.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in education in 1950 from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, where he majored in physical education with a minor in mathematics.
Mr. McCracken sang in barbershop quartets for 47 years. He was an active member of New Tradition Chorus, Northbrook. That group has won silver medals the past six years in international competitions held by the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America.
At Wilson Sporting Goods Co., Mr. McCracken filled orders for custom sets of golf clubs for professional athletes, according to his sister, Patti Vickery. “He took measurements for clubs for Michael Jordan and Jim McMahon,” she said. “He also tested baseball bats and mitts at Wrigley Field.” His sister said Mr. McCracken patented an adhesive grip for a baseball bat.
Other survivors are a daughter, Jane A. Swenson; a son, Paul D.; a brother, Don; and four grandchildren.
A memorial visitation will be held from 3 p.m. Thursday until the time of a memorial service at 7 p.m. in Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights.
