McRae is a third-generation rancher, his family members having raised cattle and sheep in southeastern Montana since 1885.

[3] After college, he was commissioned by the United States Navy and served in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets.

Following the death of his father in 1960, McRae returned to Montana with his wife Ruth Hayes to take over the family ranching operations.

[2] McRae recalls having recited his first poem at age 4, at the one-room schoolhouse attended by his sisters.

Since then, he has published more than 100 poems on topics both humorous and romantic, as well as matters of social concern such as environmental protection.