Shane McCray:
CLASS OF 1984
Timberline High SchoolClass of 1984
Lacey, WA
Shane's Story
After High School I joined the Military and did four years in the 1st Ranger Bn. in Savannah GA. from 85-89. Went to Ranger School in 87 class 11-87. I missed the invasion of Panama by just a few months after my four years ended in summer of 89. I was able to visit places in my Military service from Honduras in Central America to Jordan in the Middle East. And many locations in between that I knew little more than as map grid reference point in the world. Little did I know that I would fall back on that time in my young life when I grew much older!
After the Military I went to commercial dive school in Seattle at the Diver Institute Technology for 13 weeks. Then worked in the gulf of Mexico for awhile doing sub sea contraction for a dive company in Louisiana, till I found out I didn't like being away from home and a new wife at the time more that any time I spent in the Military!
I changed careers again in 91 and moved back to Savannah, GA and worked as a civilian Firearms Instructor at the local pistol and rifle range from 91-99, teaching the use of firearms for self defense. During that time frame after being out of the Military for nearly 5 years, I went back in and joined the GA National Guard H CO. 121st INF ABN Long Range Surveillance. Were I did two Combat deployments to Iraq 2003, 2006-07. And retired out of that unit in 2009 with 20 years total of service as an E-7/ SFC.
I tried collage for two years in the early 2000's and found out that it wasn't for me. I never excelled at learning sitting behind a desk. Just before starting collage is when my first marriage ended. It sucked but was made easier because we didn't have any children. I worked security in strip clubs to techno night clubs at night to put money in my pocket, and food in my belly.
During the end of my collage years I started working as a carpenter in the Savannah area and liked the work. After a few years of that I had made enough of a name for myself that I was asked to work as a custom carpenter for one of the better millwork shops in the area. There over the next three years my wood working skills great...Expand for more
ly expanded and I found out since I had left being a firearms instructor that I could love coming into work each day. I would never get rich doing it, but enjoyed it from the shear challenge of doing and making something with my hands every day.
By this time I had been divorced nearly 5 years, and thought I found some one I could enjoy being marred to again. So just days before my first combat deployment in 2003 I got married again. Little did I know that one was to last shorter that my first marriage! That one ended in 2006 just before I was to again leave on my second combat deployment back to Iraq for a year.
Since then with all my Military skills I have after 20 years. I have used them back in service for the greater good, and have applied my unique skill sets to earn a living in some of the darker corners of the world in high threat environments. And will continue to do so till I'm too old or broken to so :)
I have three of the most outstanding children in the world! At least they are to me :) I wouldn't trade them for the world. I have two daughters and a son in the middle. All the BS and heart ache one can go through surviving two poor marriages, my children are well worth it all!
I still keep my had in wood working by making contemporary flintlock black powder rifles in my spare time. And expanding on that by learning firearms engraving from a school in the mid-west. I figure I need something to fall back on when I can no longer carry a gun for a living.
Since High School in 84' to now I have loved and lost many a relationship. I have been able to do more in my first 5 years out of High School than some people will ever do in a life time. I have lead men in combat, and faced gunfire meant to kill me. Worked on the bottom of the ocean. Taught housewives that they can take control of their own safety without some man. Have built things with my hands that I'm proud of. And best of all, I have the task of raising three children to be better people in this world that I have been, and to be contributing member to society.
So what have you been up to since High School?
Register for Free to view all details!
Reunions
Photos
