John "Bobby" Erlanson

John “Bobby” Erlanson of McGregor died Tuesday afternoon, November 2, 2010, at the age of 82. Graveside services and interment will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, November 5, 2010, at Robinson Cemetery under the direction of Cole Funeral Home, 1113 West Fifth Street, McGregor, with Rev. Michael Brown and Rev. Roy Marshall officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday at Cole Funeral Home.

Mr. Erlanson was born January 26, 1928, in Tokyo, Texas, the son of the late Floy John and Annie Elizabeth (McMorrough) Erlanson. He received his education at Tokyo and LaVega where he played football. In 1975, he received his air conditioning and refrigeration certification from TSTI in Waco. For a short time, he served his country in the Navy. On June 18, 1949, he married Dazery Joy Lewis in Waco. Much of his life was spent as a carpenter, building Safeway Grocery Stores in Waco and Amarillo as well as residences near the Heart of Texas Coliseum during the 1950’s. For fourteen years, General Tire employed him and he later was self employed, owing John Erlanson Refrigeration in McGregor for twenty years.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of McGregor where he served as a deacon and taught in the Children’s Division. He was a member of McGregor Masonic Lodge 376 A.F. & A.M. An outdoors man, he enjoyed gun smithing and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Also preceding him in death were two sisters, Marjorie Schofield and Doris Atkins.

Survivors include his wife; Joy of sixty-one years, three sons, Michael Erlanson and wife Linda of Hewitt, Ken Erlanson and wife Lana of Gatesville, Robert Erlanson and wife Betty of McGregor; a daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Byrd of Carollton; seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Betty Bishop of Waco.

Honorary casketbeares will be Christopher Erlanson, Michale Erlanson, Jr., Ben Erlanson and Aaron Byrd.

For those desiring, the family has suggested McGregor Ambulance Association or McGregor Masonic Lodge, for memorial contributions.