Terrance James McCraw

Terrance James McCraw passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the age of 40 years.

Terrance was born and raised in Port Washington, Wis., graduating from Port Washington High School in 2002.

Due to his outstanding academic achievements, he was selected to be a Presidential Scholar at Milwaukee School of Engineering to pursue his bachelor of science degree in computer engineering with a mathematics minor.  He became the Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society president, Eta Kappa Nu Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society vice president and was an involved member of the MSOE student government association before graduating with high honors in 2006.

Following his graduation, he was a principal software engineer for more than 15 years at Astronautics Corp. of America, with a primary focus on safety critical avionics software development and certification. His talents and experiences led to his inventorship of a patent (US 10,189,577) designed to provide a 360-degree rotorcraft avionics display and improve situational awareness during the critical times of takeoff and landing.

Terrance was an intelligent and creative lifelong learner with a passion for giving back to his community. Two of the brightest parts of his life were his daughters Morgan and Mia, who shared his sense of humor and love for art, music, comics and movies. He greatly enjoyed his time as their Girl Scout troop leader and cherished the adventures it brought them, particularly activities involving the natural beauty of Lake Michigan’s shore. Terrance and his girls also loved to volunteer at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus, where they offered compassion and kindness to the animals awaiting adoption.

Terrance will be dearly missed by his surviving family and friends: his loving daughters Morgan and Mia; father Fred (Bonnie) McCraw; mother Peggy Klein; siblings James McCraw (Jessica Scheibel), Kellie (Nevin) Seibel and Erin McCraw; nieces and nephews Pearl, Destinee, Logan, Hayden and Addison; grandfathers Frederick McCraw and Lee Klinski; grandmother Betty Klein; and countless other close friends and family members.

The family will be having a small gathering to celebrate Terrance’s life at a later date.

Terrance’s legacy to this world was one of love and kindness to everyone. To honor his life in meaningful way, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Terrance’s name to the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus or the Girl Scouts of Manitou Council.

Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.