Josiah ("Jay") McCracken

Josiah ("Jay") Calvin McCracken, III, passed away on October 12, 2025, in Lacey, Washington. Born January 14, 1940, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Jay was the eldest son of Josiah Calvin McCracken, Jr. and Barbara Silvers McCracken. Raised on the Jersey Shore, Jay grew up a beach-loving athlete, who played football and other sports during the school year and spent his summers as a lifeguard on the Margate City Beach Patrol. Jay graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in 1962. The following year, Jay married Jane Walshe, whom he first met as a fourth grader in Ventnor, New Jersey. In elementary school, Jay very much enjoyed playing pranks on Jane, which she didn't enjoy quite as much, but she didn't hold it against him and, by high school, Jay and Jane were a couple. Shortly before their wedding, Jay joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After earning his commission, Jay was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, and the newlyweds began their lives together on the West Coast.

While living in San Clemente, Jay and Jane's eldest daughter, Kelly, was born. In 1965, Jay left active military duty, and returned to New Jersey, where daughters Sarah and Cadi joined the family. Jay's career in sales led to frequent moves along the East Coast before the family settled in Southern California in 1974. Jay decided that the West Coast was indeed the best coast, and he spent the next almost 50 years in California, where he eventually found his dream role as one of the first executives at Upper Deck, a sports card company and the perfect fit for a lifelong sports fan. His time there was filled with unforgettable moments - throwing out first pitches at MLB games, playing on the Field of Dreams in Iowa, meeting legendary athletes, and attending multiple Super Bowls.

In 1993, Jay and Jane opened a baseball card shop in Carlsbad, California, which they ran together for several years before retiring to Tustin, California. Even in retirement, Jay remained active in the sports card world, buying and selling at shows and on Ebay well into his later years.

Jay's love of sports was lifelong and infectious. Whether playing, coaching, watching, or debating, he found joy in every aspect of the game. He was especially proud of the athletic accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Opinionated and often stubborn, Jay relished a good argument—and, as those who inherited his debating spirit will now admit, he was even right sometimes.

Jay is survived by his wife Jane, daughters Kelly (Kevin) Kerr of Lacey, Washington, Sarah (Billy) Kift of Tustin, California, and Cadi (Brian) Stephenson of Danville, California, grandchildren Meghan, Bryan, Emily, Caitlin, Sam, and Hannah, and great-grandson Nolan. He is also remembered fondly by his siblings Larry, Sally, and Bruce, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Gifts in Jay's memory may be made to every kid sports: everykidsports.org.

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