McCracken founded Word Inc., a Christian music company, in 1951 in Waco. The businessman's vision of Word, now a Warner/Curb company in Nashville, created the foundation for what would become one of the fastest growing genres in the music industry. Growing into one of the world's largest Christian entertainment companies, Word is comprised of a label group, music publishing, distribution and church resource divisions.

McCracken sold part interest to American Broadcasting Co. in 1974, and remained president of the company until 1986.

With a successful history spanning more than a half a century, Word and its subsidiary labels have featured such world-renowned artists as Amy Grant, Sandi Patty and George Beverly Shea, composers Kurt Kaiser and Ralph Carmichael, as well as authors Billy Graham and James Dobson.

CAPTION: Jarrell McCracken oversees the construction of Word’s first building in Waco, TX