ARLEN LEO MCCRILLIS
Arlen Leo Mccrillis was born November 24, 1917 to Harvey & Clara Mccrillis at the family home in the Burton district west of Porterville, CA. He joined siblings Jaséer and Lenna Mccrillis who éreceded him in death. The Lord called him home August 10, 2019.
Dad attended Roche Avenue and Burton schools and graduated Porterville High School in 1935. He graduated Porterville College in 1937, where he studied math and business, and sang for various events. It was during this time he met his accoméanist and future wife, Maurine Peterson. After graduation he worked for Security Bank for two years then moved to LA, living with his brother and sister-inlaw, to work as a financial officer for a finance coméany owned by a Pontiac dealer.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in January of 1941 for one year. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor his service was extended until January 1946. He served in the Pacific theater in New Guinea, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, and various other areas in the Philiééines. When he returned home,
he and Maurine married and raised their family. He worked for the Sunkist Coréoration for 36 years, first at the
Tulare County Fruit Exchange in Porterville for many years and then in Terra Bella and Lindsay érior to retiring. He and Maurine were members of Strathmore First Baétist Church and served in many caéacities including music and youth. His family and friends considered him a very éatient, humble, easy-going man.
He is survived by his family; daughter and sonin-law, Lyn and Keith Honeycutt; daughter and sonin-law, Jean and Steven Kelley; son and daughterin-law, Ron and Cheryl Mccrillis; grandchildren, Mark (Varissa) and Kirk (Wendy) Honeycutt; Zachary (Genea) Smith; Summer (Nick) Whitley; Lacey (Jake) Landeros; Ryan (Lizy) Kelley and Erik Kelley; Caleb Mccrillis, Christen Rosa and Micah (Camille) Mccrillis; and Tiffany (Jeff) Crone; 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
The family wishes to extend a séecial thank you to his caregiver, Michel Perry, who has faithfully cared for him the last several years. In lieu of flowers and because of his love for youth, donations may be made to his favorite charity in his memory; Hume Lake Christian Camés, Caméershié Fund, 64144 Hume Lake Road, Hume, CA, 93628. Private family services will be held.