Jarrod Paul McCray

Jarrod Paul McCray passed away at Flagstaff Medical Center on Friday, May 29, 2020 at the age of 45. He was born Friday, February 13, 1975 to Jeffrey Scott McCray and Rebecca Marvona (Reidhead) McCray in ShowLow Arizona. Jarrod was the oldest of 7 children.

Jarrod was raised in Snowflake, Arizona and lived the majority of his life there. He loved Snowflake and the feeling of home he had there. He loved being the oldest of 7 children. He took that role very seriously and made sure that his siblings knew he loved them. He was best friends with them growing up. At an early age Jarrod was introduced to the family business of drilling water wells. Many of Jarrod’s early childhood memories are of his dad waking him up at early hours to take him out to the rig to work with him. Jarrod loved drilling because of the physical labor. He was talented with anything where he could work with his hands. He loved taking things apart just so he could figure out how it worked and put it back together again. Jarrod had a knack for drawing. He could draw anything and the detail was very life-like. He used his gift to bless many people throughout his life and also passed the talent on to several of his children. Jarrod took up a love for football and wrestling around his junior high years. He worked hard to be strong for both of those sports. He enjoyed the high of working out and being fit. In high school, Jarrod was known as Dr. Death, even though it may have been self-proclaimed! He would brag that he had some of the hardest hits his coaches ever saw out on the field. His junior year, he was set to wrestle at state but had a fall off of Shone’s Dam that left him with a shattered ankle that required major surgery, leaving him unable to compete that year.

Throughout his high school years, Jarrod dated his high school sweetheart, Heather Willis Perkins. Shortly after graduation they were married. Together they welcomed three of their greatest blessings. Trey Scott McCray was born April 14, 1995. Jarrod was so proud of his first born and loved being a father and having a little buddy to take with him everywhere. Not long after, Trevor Lane McCray was born November 3, 1996. Now Jarrod had two little buddies who loved their dad and were with him constantly. It took a few years and some heartache before their beautiful little girl made her arrival. Taelyn Rebecca McCray was born January 31, 2003. While there was no doubt that Jarrod loved his boys, he was ecstatic to finally have his princess! As time went on, Jarrod and Heather grew apart and decided it was best for them to part ways. At this time, Jarrod decided to take up riding dirt bikes. He loved the feeling of being out on a track whipping around a berm and just going fast! This new hobby did not come without bumps, bruises and accidents that come with any dangerous sport. But those injuries, did not slow Jarrod down from his newly found love. It was during one of his trips to Mesa to ride a big city track that Jarrod first met his future wife, Chelsea DeWitt McCray. Jarrod and Chelsea dated only a short time before Jarrod took her out to his home away from home, the woods, and asked her to be his forever. They were married October 8, 2005. After being married for a short time, they found out their first born was on his way. Tristan Jaegar McCray was born October 5,  2006. He, like his two older brothers, followed his dad everywhere connected at the hip. Tristan was given 3 years of being dad’s little buddy, before his brother, Trig Porter McCray, arrived on October 12, 2009. They were the three amigos. Jarrod grew up having a close relationship with his siblings and passed that on to his children. Trey, Trevor, Taelyn, Tristan and Trig were the light of Jarrod’s life. He was so proud of them and the things they accomplished. He loved to brag about his children.

Jarrod was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ and had a strong testimony of its truthfulness. Jarrod served in several different callings. His favorite was being a youth leader for the young men. He loved serving them, because he could get down on their level and be one of them. He loved those young men and they loved and respected him. Jarrod never knew a stranger. He would meet someone and walk away with a new friend. Everyone loved Jarrod. He was a favorite to all who knew him. He made everyone feel special. He gave the best hugs and genuinely cared about everyone. And as he would walk away from any conversation he would say, "you know I love you!” And he meant it.

Jarrod had a passion for the mountains. He wanted nothing more than to make that his home. Any time he could find an excuse to be out there, he was gone! Whether it was camping, hunting and especially fishing, Jarrod was his happiest doing these things with his family.

Jarrod was taken from this earth far too early. He left a void in so many with his very unexpected and untimely passing. But we know that in due time we will be with him again. We know that he is busy doing the work of the Lord. He will be there for his family, especially his children through the remainder of their lives, cheering them on and loving them just as he did here.

Jarrod is survived by his wife of 14 years Chelsea (DeWitt) McCray; his children, Trey Scott McCray, Trevor Lane McCray, Taelyn Rebecca McCray, Tristan Jaegar McCray, and Trig Porter McCray; parent’s that he loved dearly, Jeff and Marvona McCray; siblings, Logan McCray, Joe (Heidi) McCray, Carrie (Alan) Rogers, Orrin (Elyse) McCray, Ethan (Delaney) McCray and Jeffrey McCray. Jarrod is also survived by several nieces and nephews, lots of aunts, uncles and even more cousins.

Jarrod’s family wants to express their heartfelt gratitude to those who have shown love and support during this extremely difficult time. They want to thank family who sacrificed their time to build the beautiful casket and donated the flowers for the casket. Also, a big thank you to those who have brought meals and done anything to help lift their spirits during this time. Jarrod said it best, “You know we love you!”

A viewing will be held Sunday, June 7, 2020 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Owens Livingston Mortuary, 84 E. 19 S., Snowflake, Arizona. A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, Arizona, where burial will follow.