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MCCROSSEN, ERIC Eric Thor McCrossen died peacefully at home on Sunday, January 18th, 2015. He was born in Avon Township, Michigan on February 23rd, 1931. In 1932 Eric's parents, George and Helen McCrossen moved to Santa Fe, NM where the family opened McCrossen Handwoven Textiles on Cerrillos Road- the largest employer in the state at that time. McCrossen started his newspaper career at 11 years old with a paper route for the Santa Fe New Mexican. He worked as a printer's devil and apprentice in a Santa Fe print job shop and in his father's photo engraving plant during his years at Santa Fe High School. He served 4 years in the Air Force including occupation duty in Japan and combat duty in Korea during the Korea police action. Following his service he enrolled at the University of New Mexico where he studied journalism and acted as editor of the New Mexico Lobo. His long journalistic career included time at the Belen News Bulletin, UP reporter in Santa Fe, the Carlsbad Current Argus, editor of the Raton Daily Range and the Gallup Independent and a short stop at the Phoenix Gazette in AZ. In 1969 Bob Brown, editor of the Abq Journal offered McCrossen a job as a columnist and editorial writer. His 26 years at the Albuquerque Journal included covering stories of the state constitutional convention, the hijacking of a TWA passenger jet in Albuquerque to Cuba, anti-Vietnam protests and the state Legislature. He moved full time to the position of editorial page editor in 1975 where he continued to work until his retirement in September of 1995. His retirement was spent enjoying extensive travel, activities and lots of tennis at Tanoan Country Club. Eric was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Preston McCrossen and his first wife Patricia Ringer Caldwell. He leaves behind his loving wife and best friend of 30 years Shirley Wigren of Albuquerque, NM who brought steadfast love and caring companionship to Eric's every day. He is also survived by his younger brother Stanley McCrossen and his wife Zelda Meer-McCrossen of Las Vegas, NM. He leaves behind four daughters and their families: Jeanne and Lynn Neill of Dallas TX, Cyndy McCrossen and Maurice Sherif of Bosque Farms, NM, Celia and David Klaus of Albuquerque, and Kai and Tim Ryan of Houston, TX. His surviving step-children are Jodie Wigren of Boston, MA, Christy Campbell of Lyman, WY, Peggy and Tom Wilcox of South Padre Island, TX, Tom and Julie Wigren of Big Lake, MN, Susie Snyder of Roswell, NM and Leah Wigren of Reno, NV. His love extends to include his sister-in-law Macon McCrossen of Albuquerque; his nieces Tami McCrossen of Los Angeles, CA and Alexis McCrossen of Dallas TX; 15 grandchildren; and six beautiful great-grandchildren. All of his family and friends will miss Eric's cheerful smile and joy for life. The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice for their recent care and attention given to Eric. A memorial will be planned at a later date when friends and relatives can gather to share remembrances. To be included in the event or to share memories of Eric please write to the family at bosquebelle@gmail.com
        Published on: Tue January 20, 2015