2nd Annual Donnie McCrary Golf Classic

On June 14th Grant City Golf Course hosted the ‘2nd Annual Donnie McCrary, Jr. Golf Classic’ Tournament. The Tournament is held every year in memory of Donnie McCrary. There were over 30 teams participated. All winners donated their winnings back to the family.
The money acquired at the event is used for a scholarship that is handed out to Senior of the Jefferson School. They must write an essay on how cancer has affected their lives. This is the first year the scholarship was awarded and they look forward to continuing this tradition in the future.
In October of 2005, Donnie volunteered with the American Red Cross to help with the devastation Hurricane Katrina had caused in Louisiana (and while there, he witnessed Hurricane Wilma). A couple days prior to coming home, he had what appeared to be a fever blister on his lip, and the Red Cross medics looked at it and just told him to see his family doctor upon returning home. The doctors thought it was a cancerous tumor right away, and it was confirmed only days later.
He underwent immediate chemotherapy, and by January 2006, he had to have a feeding tube put in his stomach as he could no longer take any food or drink by mouth. The tumor would disappear with chemo for a week or two, but then would return with a vengeance and spread. In April of 2006, Donnie underwent an 18 hour surgery at KU Med that quite literally removed the lower-third of his face, which was somewhat rebuilt using titanium and skin grafts.
All the while this was happening to him, he maintained determination and strength. As if nothing had changed, he remained the rock for his family and friends. It was only in the week of his passing that he started really needing others to lean on. He passed away on June 9, 2007, at the age of 39. He left behind two young daughters, ages 7 and 13, to which he contributed his desire to fight the inevitable.
Winners were: Championship Division
1st Place: Chris Healy, Mark Harding, April Miller
2nd Place: Rick Peterson, Jared Peterson, Hunter Lewis
3rd Place: George Bliley, Janet Bliley, Jason Gray
"A" Division
1st Place: Gary Owens, Ernie Owens, BJ Stephenson
2nd Place: Tom McBrien, Larry McBrien, Shawn Orendorff
3rd Place: Rick McCrary, Ethan McCrary, Jeremy McQueen
"B" Division
1st Place: Don McCrary, Jordan McCrary, Jason Gray
2nd Place: Dustin Wells, Jamie Price, Tim Karr
3rd Place: Ronda Carroll, Lindsey Carroll, Roberta Owens