More detail on this person: Waynesville, Robert Imboden McElroy, Lt. Col., Retired, age 82, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at The Homestead. He was born at Fort McPherson, Georgia, son of the late George Roland and Pinkie Jewel Swain McElroy. He spent his pre-military years in attendance at various elementary and high schools over the nation. He graduated from high school at Marion Military Institute, Marion Alabama, in 1949, and continued there through his first two years of college. Transferring to the University of Alabama, he continued in ROTC and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the regular army in 1952 after earning his BS degree. Upon completion of his branch course in Field Artillery at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, LTC McElroy was ordered to Korea where he served with the 3rd Inf. Div as Artillery Liaison Officer and Battery Commander. Subsequently, he volunteered for Army Aviator Flight Training and after graduation, was assigned to Ft. Benning, Georgia. He served as an aviation staff officer with Headquarters, Third US Army and as operations officer with a Strategic Army Corps missile battalion at Ft. Sill. Terminating the latter tour, he was ordered to the Canadian Defense Staff in Ottawa, Canada, and served in a joint staff capacity with the Canadian Army Aviation Section. Subsequently, he was selected for a command position with the US Army Security Agency where he formed and trained an experimental aviation unit and employed it in an overseas combat theater. Returning to the US, he was assigned to the Combat Developments Command at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. While serving with CDC, he earned his Master's Degree in Educational Guidance and Counseling at the American University. Completing his tour in Washington, D.C., he was assigned to the University of Tennessee as Assistant Professor of Military Science where he remained until his assignment to Carson-Newman College until March 1972. LTC McElroy attended the Field Artillery Officers Advanced Course, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the Armed Forces Staff College. Awards included the Legion of Merit, eleven Air Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals. He also earned the master Army Aviator Badge and various other campaign and service ribbons. Bob resided in Haywood County since early 1970 and had been active with the Haywood County Arts Council and served as a volunteer criminal court mediator. He was also a former ski instructor at Cataloochee Ski Resort and Vail/Beaver Creek Ski Resort. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Paula Ferree McElroy; three daughters, Dolly Ann Fox and husband, Carter, of Clinton, Tennessee, Mary Kathryn Hampton and husband, Allen, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Margaret Louise Yarbrough and husband, Charles, of Columbia, Maryland; three sons, Robert I. McElroy, Jr. and wife, Janet, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Gurth Christopher Baron of Edmonton, Alberta Canada, and Paul Ferree Baron and his wife, Brandon, of Raleigh, North Carolina; one sister-in-law, Doris K. McElroy, of Hixson, Tennessee; and ten grandchildren, Seth and Jordan Fox, Hannah, Austin, Dillon, Alli, and Josie McElroy, William Kirkpatrick Baron, and Trey and Piper Louise Yarbrough. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville with Reverend John P. Lindsay officiating. Inurnment will be at Grace Episcopal Church in the Mountains. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville Building Fund, 305 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 Obituary provided by Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Waynesville, NC 28786
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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