David Brian Cronauer, 58, known to all as Brian, died Feb. 15, 2023, at home in McKinney, Texas, surrounded by his family and friends after a yearlong battle with glioblastoma. Born in Indiana, Pa., he was a son of Robert J. Cronauer and Mary Beth (Hughes) Souilliard. He was the oldest of three children and grew up in Macungie, from age 9, with his two siblings, Bruce and Brandy.

He attended Emmaus High School (Class of 1983) where he was a gifted athlete and captain of the football team.

He served his country for 13 years as a United States Marine, including two combat tours in Libya and Bosnia as a jet mechanic and flight engineer. This time defined his work ethic and was the core of his leadership ethos. He was very proud of his service.

He obtained a bachelor of science degree, graduating summa cum laude and a master’s degree of science with honors attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and graduating from Wilmington University in Delaware.

He worked for Boeing for 13 years and later Raytheon for another 13 years as a director. He managed more than 800 people, a testament to his drive and leadership abilities.

He was a true warrior. Even in the end, as he battled brain cancer, he fought hard and suffered well. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was an amazing leader, coach, mentor and friend to all that knew him. His smile and laughter will always be remembered. He was beyond proud of his children and saw them as his pinnacle of success.

He is survived by his wife, Tracey, and their daughter, Sabrina, of McKinney, Texas, in addition to his first three children with Michelle (Dunton), Keil, of Tucson, Ariz., Zachary, of Allentown and Kara Colunga, of Van Alystyne, Texas, who made him a proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by his father, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; mother, of Bear Creek Township.; brother, Bruce (LuAnn), of Bradenton, Fla.; sister, Brandy (Jim) Lewis, of Bear Creek Township.