Ronald Coburn McElroy
12-28-1932 to 10-6-2011
Family and friends mourn the loss of our beloved Father and Grandfather, Ronald Coburn McElroy.
Born the son of Earl and Jean McElroy, Dec 28th 1932, Ron spent his childhood years growing up in Grand Rapids Michigan.
After Graduation Ron left home to serve in the United States Military as a Naval Radioman on the French Riviera during the Korean War.
After serving his tour of duty, Ron decided to call Washington State his home.
Here, he married Wretha Jones and raised his two daughters, Valerie and Tracy in Bellevue Washington.
Ronald proudly climbed the ladder of success in the Aerospace Industry while working for the Boeing company for over 35 years.
Although a long time resident of King County (WA), Ron’s love for camping at Cowlitz Timber Trails (Salkum, WA) brought him to reside in Lewis County shortly after retirement. Eventually Ron moved to the Centralia Chehalis Community of Stillwaters. Living in Lewis County, Ron, was an important part of his Grandsons life as they were growing up in the Winlock,Toledo area.
Most recently, Ron joined both of his daughters to live in Henderson Nevada. The relocation allowed Ron to be reunited with his Daughters, Son in Laws, Grandsons as well as his only granddaughter. His new home at Sunrise Sr. Living brought Ron an abundance of new important friendships as well.
Ronald is survived by his two daughters , Valerie J Huffer and Tracy L Ferguson,
Grandsons, Shawn and Dustin Huffer and Granddaughter, Tyra Ferguson.
A remembrance will be held on Sunday October 16th at 3:30 P.M. at Sunrise Sr. Living in Henderson NV.
A Military Honors ceremony will be held on Monday, October 17th at 8:40 A.M. at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City Nevada.
Family and friends in Washington State are invited to celebrate the life of Ronald McElroy with a casual remembrance – get together planned for sometime during the Veterans Day Weekend. For Further information contact Valerie Huffer at 702 281 9639 or email happyh4@cox.net.
God looked around His garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, so He closed your weary eyelids and whispered “Peace be thine”. It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you The day God called you home.
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Roger and I as well as the rest of the Hudson family would like to send you all our love and prayers. We know how hard it is to lose your Father and Grandfather. Uncle Ron will always be remembered fondly by our family. Especially to me. I have loved him since I was 5 years old. He will always be my Uncle Ron. Sharing memories of our times together may not seem like much to others but were very special to me. Riding in his new red Buick convertible, raking rocks in his back yard together, laughing, talking, listening to his records with him on his new Hi Fi, playing dolls with my sister and I, shooting pool with him in the basement, sitting by the fire talking, or when as a teen (hard times) he told me ” Raydine if you ever need anything you just call me”, and most important to me the long friendship he had with my father (Richard Backstrom). They shared so many good years together. Dad always asked about Uncle Ron. I like to think that he and my parents are together again sharing some of those memories. Another loved one gone ahead! He will be missed but will always be loved!
I first met Ron while working for Boeing going on 25 years ago. At the time he had more years with Boeing than I was old. I am not sure why, but we hit it off immediately and became fast friends which followed him into his retirement. Ron had a wonderful sense of humor and more often than not wore a smile. He was generous and loyal to his friends and especially his family and everyone I know loved him in return. He will be missed!
My thoughts and preryas are with you as you mourn the loss of your Dad and Grandfather. We wish we could be near you to hold you all and hug you and help you through this time. Ron was such a big part of mine and my family’s lives. I think I was about 11 when he and Wretha first started dating. Wow! The sailor in the nifty car the red Corvette then, I think, and he gave me rides in it! He was a part of our family long before he and Wretha married. His sense of humor and teasing ways could always be counted on to make a gathering a happy time. Later, when Charlie and I married, Ron welcomed him into the family like a new brother. Charlie always was closest to Ron of all the men in the family and I have vivid memories of lively conversation between the two of them on camping trips, over a meal or a family get-together, and especially over the music in one of our rec rooms . I can see him coming in my door on so many Christmas Eves with that great big smile and saying, as he reached the living room, Looks like Santa already came! , then asking me What country are we eating tonight? (We always knew that was coming and counted on it!)Don’t ever doubt how proud your Dad was of each of you, your husbands, your children! You, all of you, were the light of his life! I pray you will feel comfort in knowing that his light, his love will be a part of you always. Love to all of you, Aunt Gerri
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your Dad and Grandfather. We wish we could be near you to hold you all and hug you and help you through this time. Ron was such a big part of mine and my family’s lives. I think I was about 11 when he and Wretha first started dating. Wow! The sailor in the nifty car – the red Corvette then, I think, and he gave me rides in it! He was a part of our family long before he and Wretha married. His sense of humor and teasing ways could always be counted on to make a gathering a happy time. Later, when Charlie and I married, Ron welcomed him into the family like a new brother. Charlie always was closest to Ron of all the men in the family and I have vivid memories of lively conversation between the two of them on camping trips, over a meal or a family get-together, and especially over the music in one of our “rec rooms”. I can see him coming in my door on so many Christmas Eves with that great big smile and saying, as he reached the living room, “Looks like Santa already came!”, then asking me “What country are we eating tonight?” (We always knew that was coming – and counted on it!)
Don’t ever doubt how proud your Dad was of each of you, your husbands, your children! You, all of you, were the light of his life! I pray you will feel comfort in knowing that his light, his love will be a part of you always. Love to all of you, Aunt Gerri
As the neighbor girl across the street, I will always fondly remember Mr. Mac as he washed his travel trailer out front, gave me pointers on playing pool, or cautioned us to be careful of his grass as we set up the slippery slide out back. I enjoyed many wonderful camping trips thanks to his hospitality–and he was always easy to convince to stop for a slice of “peanut butter pie” on the way home from the weekend venture. Valerie and Tracy, I hope you too find comfort in these and the abundance of other memories he has left to you. I will miss his cheery smile.
Valerie and Tracy and families, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your fatehr and extend my deepest sympathy to you all. I have such fond memories of Uncle Ron and the times we spent together when we were little kids. I can still see my dad and yours laughing as they sat at dining room table playing cards. I am imagining a heaven with a camp ground. There are trailers gathered round a firepit and your dad is sitting there, enjoying a beautiful starry night and laughing in that wonderful way he had, so I know he is at peace. My thoughts are with you. Cousin Judi
So sorry to hear of Uncle Ron’s passing.
We are praying for you all.
Jeff and family
Valerie and Tracy and families, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father and extend my deepest sympathy to you all. I have such fond memories of Uncle Ron and the times we spent together when we were little kids. I can still see my dad and yours laughing as they sat at dining room table playing cards. I am imagining a heaven with a camp ground. There are trailers gathered round a firepit and your dad is sitting there, enjoying a beautiful starry night and laughing in that wonderful way he had, so I know he is at peace. My thoughts are with you. Cousin Judi