OBITUARY: Chief Charles McCrary (Ret.)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Former Chief of Police, Charles McCrary (Ret.), who passed away on Friday, April 25th, 2025 at the age of 87. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, loved ones, and many fellow colleagues. He served the Wilson County community for 29 years. He will be missed, but his legacy will always live on. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.

The Funeral Service, conducted by Dr. Howie Cantrell, will be held in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 02:00 p.m. Interment will follow with full Police Honors in Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, May 2nd from 04:00 p.m. – 08:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 3rd from 12:00 p.m. until service time at 02:00 p.m.

He is survived by loving wife and caretaker, Sharon “Cherie” McCrary; children, Tammy Ball, Teri (Mickey) Nelson, Missy McCrary Davis, Joseph Smith, Paul Hennessey, Cherie Hennessey, and Angel Hennessey; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; special friends, Former Deputy Director, Terry Ashe as well as, Terry and Nina Burdette.

He was preceded in death by parents, Monroe “O’Daddy” and Nora “O’Mama” McCrary; daughter, Thresa Lewis; and brother, Howard McCrary.

McCrary served as a Deputy for the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department from 1973 – 1976. He was the first officer in Wilson County to receive the credentials of a Certified Law Enforcement Officer in 1974/1975 and was the 2nd officer in the city’s history to be selected as Chief of Police for the Mt. Juliet Police Department. Chief McCrary has been respected and admired by his peers and the people of his community since he began his exemplary tenure with the City of Mount Juliet Police Department on Friday, October 1st, 1976.

A true patriot, he also served his country as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, and thus holds a position of honor among those gallant “Screaming Eagles” who have long defended our nation and our freedom. A former Golden Gloves boxing champion, he has fought for the greater good throughout his life; and his outstanding success as a civic leader is directly attributable to his reliance on the time-honored values of hard work and common sense and his uncommon ability to work well with people from all walks of life; and, it is not often that a man of Chief McCrary’s stature walks among us, and it is important that we honor him for his sterling character, selfless good works, and astute service to our community.

Beyond his civic and community involvement, Charlie was nothing more than an old-fashioned, simple man who enjoyed golfing and watching old westerns. A devoted husband, Charles worshipped the ground his wife walked on and loved her until his last breath.