Michael Patrick McCrane Sr.

October 26, 1963 – August 12, 2024
Obituary of Michael Patrick McCrane Sr.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend Michael Patrick McCrane Sr. passed away at age 60 at his home in Falls Church, Virginia from a sudden heart attack. Mike dedicated his life to serving his country and was the epitome of an honorable and dedicated man. At the same time, he was full of joy and love for his family and friends. That joy, as well as his perfectly-timed jokes and funny stories, made everyone absolutely love to be with him. He cared deeply about making a positive impact, both in his work and in the lives of those around him. He most certainly accomplished this goal, although his time with us ended much too soon.

Mike is survived by his wife of eight years, Kristen Vine, his children Christina, Michael Jr. (Ally), and Daniel (Izelda) McCrane, and his grandchildren Aria and Theodore. He was preceded in death by his father, John McCrane, and his brothers, John Jr. and Paul McCrane.

Mike was born in Cocoa Beach, Florida and grew up nearby in Melbourne Beach. He loved the ocean and would wake up at the crack of dawn to go surfing before school. His father, a World War II Navy veteran who worked on the Space Shuttle program at Kennedy Space Center during Mike’s childhood, also passed away too young, during the summer after Mike graduated from high school in 1981. Mike enlisted as a Private in the United States Marine Corps and was soon at boot camp at Parris Island. Over the next several years, he was promoted to Corporal and attended both Florida State University and Officer Candidate School. In 1987, Mike graduated from FSU with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, completed OCS, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Marines.

Mike served in the 1st Marine Division, stationed out of Camp Pendleton California, from 1987 through 1993, where he served as a Battalion Intelligence Officer. During the Gulf War Mike deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm helping secure the liberation of Kuwait in 1991. His notable Marine Corps awards and commendations include: the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Rifle Expert Badge (4th award), Pistol Expert Badge (3rd award), and Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia.

In 1993, Mike returned off of Active Duty to the USMC Reserves as a Captain and began his civilian government career with the U.S. Department of Justice. He worked as an FBI Counterdrug Intelligence Research Specialist at the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. During this time he also served as a USMC Reserve Intelligence Officer and later a Training Officer for the Marine Corps Intelligence Center.

While living in Johnstown, Mike traveled to D.C. regularly for his Reserve duties at Quantico, as well as to attend the Post Graduate Intelligence Program at the National Intelligence University. He earned his Masters of Science of Strategic Intelligence (MSSI) degree in 1998, becoming one of the first dozen Marine Reservists to complete that rigorous academic program. Mike was promoted to Major in 1999 and served until he separated from the Individual Ready Reserve in 2007.

Mike’s over twenty-year career with the United States Secret Service began in 2000, when he joined the Chicago Field Office as a Special Agent. He worked in Chicago from 2000 to 2004 as a Criminal Investigator and on the Chicago Electronic Crimes Task Force.

After September 11, 2001, Mike volunteered to assist in the recovery efforts in New York. He worked as a member of the recovery crews at Ground Zero and Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island in September and October, 2001.

Mike moved to the US Secret Service Headquarters in Washington D.C. in 2004 and his family settled nearby in Stafford, Virginia. He served as a Special Agent in the Protective Intelligence Division until 2008 and in the Investigative Support Division until 2010. He worked on many different protective details during this time, including those that gave him the opportunity to travel to places like Paris, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, and St. Petersburg, Russia and to the Olympics in Salt Lake City and Torino. He spent the next ten years at the USSS Washington Field Office, where he was promoted to Senior Special Agent. He continued his investigative work at the WFO and delved into technology later in his career, specifically focused on learning and becoming an expert in digital forensics.

Mike retired from the US Secret Service when he reached the mandatory retirement age in October 2020. After thirty-two years of U.S. government service, Mike most recently continued his work in digital forensics as a Cyber Defense Engineer contractor in Quantico, Virginia.

Mike completed four marathons: the Space Coast Marathon in Florida (1983), the USMC Marathon in D.C. (1996 and 1997) and the Chicago Marathon (2002). Mike began training in Aikido while living in Stafford and developed a deep appreciation for the history and culture connected with the martial art. He earned his Black Belt in Aikido in 2011.

In 2014, while still in the Secret Service, Mike met Kristen, an attorney working in D.C. They married in June 2016 and created a happy home in Falls Church, Virginia with their dogs and cat. Mike and Kristen were incredibly fortunate that all three of Mike’s children also lived in the D.C. area for a few years. The family continued their regular visits after Mike’s three children returned to the St. Louis area, where they had spent their teenage years. These visits included playing with Mike’s adorable grandchildren Aria (four years) and Theo (five months). In addition to being a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, Mike was a history buff who especially loved historical non-fiction and collecting World War II memorabilia. He loved a good cigar with a glass of port on the back patio, listening to classic surf rock, watching sci-fi movies and classic TV shows, and making frequent visits to Costco and Sheetz.

Mike’s family is very grateful for the outpouring of love and support they have received from Mike’s friends and colleagues since the devastating shock of his passing. They especially love hearing all of the funny stories, memories, and “Mikeisms” that he left behind for all of those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Mike’s family and friends are welcome to visit during the Memorial Gathering (12 - 2 p.m.) and to attend the Memorial Service (2 p.m.) at Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, September 28. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (linked below).