Guy Frederick 'Fred' McCracken, 79

Guy Frederick "Fred" McCracken, 79, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully on Nov. 2, 2026, in Kalispell, surrounded by his family.

Fred was born in Billings on Jan. 26, 1947, to Guy McCarty McCracken and Eunice Sherrod McCracken. Fred lost his mother when he was a boy, and his father later married Georgina. He attended Billings West High School, where he competed as a marksman on the shooting team. At Montana State University in Bozeman, he was a member of ROTC all four years and earned a bachelor's degree in earth sciences in 1969.

After college, Fred was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. In 1975, while stationed in Great Falls, he was set up on a blind date with Sandra Jean Hanson. Three months later, on June 7, 1975, they were married in a small ceremony in Billings. For more than 51 years they remained devoted, loving partners, completely enamored with each other.

Fred and Sandi were blessed with two children, Katy and Patrick. Fred served 27 years in the Air Force and rose to the rank of colonel, and he was so proud to wear his eagle's wings. On every foreign assignment he chose to bring his family along, because he wanted his children to see the world. His career took them to Germany and Korea, to SAC headquarters in Omaha, to Ellsworth Air Force Base and the Black Hills he loved, and to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he served as an instructor at the Army War College, with countless temporary assignments in between. Together, Fred and Sandi showed their children a world full of wonder and possibility, history, adventure, and fun.

Fred believed deeply in the American experiment and in its preservation and continuation. It was why he loved the military: serving made him part of a long line of protectors of our way of life. And he was loved by his men. He could take a hard line, but his people always came first, and he made a habit of working holidays so they could be home with their families.

Montana always remained home. After years of new schools all over the world, Fred gave up his final assignment so that Katy and Patrick could finish school in one place. He brought Sandi and the kids home to Billings and the Big Sky he had so missed. He made that choice with foresight and care, putting his family before his career.

After the Air Force, Fred worked for the Billings Police Department and the City of Billings. When he retired, he and Sandi moved to Columbia Falls to be closer to family.

Fred was a painter, a gunsmith, and an all-around good guy. He loved Montana history and shooting sports, especially black powder matches. The Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match in Forsyth became tradition and Fred's best friend Roy would drive over to meet him. Nothing in the world gave him more joy than time with his family. His three grandsons, Frank, Rory, and Ryan, were the sunshine of his life. He passed on to them his love of history, rockhounding, dinosaurs, nature, fishing, and shooting.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Eunice; his stepmother, Georgina; his sisters, Sharon Miller and Shirley Peterson; and his stepsister, Kay Fake. He is survived by his adoring wife, Sandi; his daughter, Katy (David) Kippen of Portland, and their son, Frank; his son, Patrick (Janelle) McCracken of Columbia Falls, and their sons, Rory and Ryan; and his stepbrother, Jim Lindley. He is also survived by Mary Hagen, Sharon and Jim Ward, Shirley Hanson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Countless friends, relatives, and acquaintances will miss Fred's sense of humor, his even-handed and pragmatic approach to life, the example of integrity he set, and most of all his devoted love for Sandi.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls. A military color guard will honor Fred outside the church. Interment will be private and held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, Fred would ask that you hold your family close and take time to appreciate the beauty of Montana's great landscapes and big skies. The family thanks the many caregivers who looked after Fred.

There were too many to name here, and every one of them was wonderful. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family. Condolences may be shared at columbiamortuary.com.