Daniel McCree Memorial

Daniel McCree patented his version of a fire escape that is commonly seen in hotels, apartment buildings and offices. Recognizing safety concerns that are taken in these larger settings, he wanted to bring them home – with portable wooden fire escape models still used today!

Early Life and Education

In the years preceding the marker dedication, descendants of McCree families and members of Lake Highlands organizations united to commemorate its history.

Locates north of Audelia Road, McCree Cemetery area grew gradually over time with farmsteads being established near Jackson and Dixon Branch Creeks that fed into White Rock Creek. Over time, homes, roads, bridges, stores, schools and natural landmarks like McCree Cemetery and frame church becoming part of its landscape.

By the 1940s, residents in this neighborhood were deeply concerned about vandalism of both their cemetery and church. A newspaper article noted how sheriff’s deputies would frequently respond on Saturday nights as teenagers held parties at the cemetery, throwing parties with broken beer bottles scattered all over gravestones (Richardson Echo 1941- 1943).

Professional Career

McCree was Miami’s inaugural sophomore team captain and led the team in tackles, sacks and interceptions as a junior. He earned two Butkus Awards and Nagurski Trophies before earning first team All-Big East honors and receiving the Bednarik Award as well.

McCree was also highly active in community service, serving on over 50 committees, councils, and boards in Detroit alone. With deep respect for education he held trustee positions at both Fisk University and Friends School Detroit while being on Harvard Law School and Mercer University visiting school committees as a visiting school committee member; furthermore being an NAACP advocate he also was an ardent ally against racism in society.

Personal Life

His personal life was marked by great variety: he was a loving family man, an active community volunteer and fund raiser, as well as working as an international travel agent.

Mr. McCurdy leaves behind his wife, Alice, two sons — Wade Hampton McCree and Michael McCurdy — as well as three grandchildren Joey McCurdy, Gavin McCurdy, and Finlay McCurdy — whom he greatly loved and was the proud grandfather to.

The McCree Collection features personal and professional correspondence, speeches and writings as well as his case files from across his legal career. Records also reflect his work on professional committees as well as membership in civic, fraternal and charitable organizations. Finally, there are family photographs and memorabilia. McCree passed away April 2, 2014 at age 93.

Memorial

Daniel McCree patented his version of a fire escape that is commonly seen in hotels, apartment buildings and offices. Recognizing safety concerns that are taken in these larger settings, he wanted to bring them home – with portable wooden fire escape models still used today!

Early Life and Education

In the years preceding the marker dedication, descendants of McCree families and members of Lake Highlands organizations united to commemorate its history.

Locates north of Audelia Road, McCree Cemetery area grew gradually over time with farmsteads being established near Jackson and Dixon Branch Creeks that fed into White Rock Creek. Over time, homes, roads, bridges, stores, schools and natural landmarks like McCree Cemetery and frame church becoming part of its landscape.

By the 1940s, residents in this neighborhood were deeply concerned about vandalism of both their cemetery and church. A newspaper article noted how sheriff’s deputies would frequently respond on Saturday nights as teenagers held parties at the cemetery, throwing parties with broken beer bottles scattered all over gravestones (Richardson Echo 1941- 1943).

Professional Career

McCree was Miami’s inaugural sophomore team captain and led the team in tackles, sacks and interceptions as a junior. He earned two Butkus Awards and Nagurski Trophies before earning first team All-Big East honors and receiving the Bednarik Award as well.

McCree was also highly active in community service, serving on over 50 committees, councils, and boards in Detroit alone. With deep respect for education he held trustee positions at both Fisk University and Friends School Detroit while being on Harvard Law School and Mercer University visiting school committees as a visiting school committee member; furthermore being an NAACP advocate he also was an ardent ally against racism in society.

Personal Life

His personal life was marked by great variety: he was a loving family man, an active community volunteer and fund raiser, as well as working as an international travel agent.

Mr. McCurdy leaves behind his wife, Alice, two sons — Wade Hampton McCree and Michael McCurdy — as well as three grandchildren Joey McCurdy, Gavin McCurdy, and Finlay McCurdy — whom he greatly loved and was the proud grandfather to.

The McCree Collection features personal and professional correspondence, speeches and writings as well as his case files from across his legal career. Records also reflect his work on professional committees as well as membership in civic, fraternal and charitable organizations. Finally, there are family photographs and memorabilia. McCree passed away April 2, 2014 at age 93.