Everett Leon McElroy

Everett Leon McElroy (also fondly known as Griz or Mac) was born on May 16, 1941 to Frankie Leona McElroy in Los Angeles, California. In 1946, Virgil Franklin Craig stepped up to the not so small task of being his father. Everett passed away on February 27, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona from natural causes. He was surrounded by loved ones in the days leading up to his passing. He was 80 years old and lived a life full of adventure, hard work, and love. He served his country in the Air Force. He enjoyed flying, even when one of his son’s friends tied a teddy bear on the tail of his airplane after a wrestling match in Las Vegas. Everett held a few patents for innovative technologies and was an entrepreneurial engineer founding Encoder Technology, which he led to great success. Two of his favorite things merged when he met his wife, Janis, while pursuing his engineering passion. They were married on May, 9, 2003. He was always finding things to do, and probably would have considered himself “semi-retired.” He loved to use his mind and was always trying to make the world and the people around him better. Most who know him can recount life lessons he taught them; either with a booming voice, strong hand, simple look or even a short grunt when needed. Everett loved anything outdoors, especially if it involved big game hunting, snow skiing, deep sea fishing, camping or, his favorite place, Lake Powell. Everett is survived by his wife, Janis Ann McElroy, whom he loved adventuring the world with. Their travels took them all over the world, from the Galapagos to Europe to road tripping across the country in the coach with their labs, Chewbacca and Hoover. If there was a football game on that weekend, you better believe he had a bet going with his son, Mark Allan McElroy, whether he won or not will stay between the two of them.

He is survived by his former wife, Jane Elise McElroy, and their two children, Mark and Gregory, two daughter-in-laws, Shelli and Judi, two step-daughters, April and Angela, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. To know Everett was to know that his pride and joy was his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by their sweet lab, “Chewy”, who was likely the first one to greet him in heaven, his elder sister, Anna, and his beloved mom and dad. Everett spoke these words to his son, Mark, a few weeks before his passing, “Luck is a matter of preparing yourself for when opportunity comes along.” It sums up his outlook on life. You can be as lucky as anyone but if you did not do the work required beforehand, opportunity can slip by. Everett will live on in the many friends and family that survive him and for that we are thankful.

There will be a viewing for those who wish to say goodbye on March 11, 2022 from 1-4pm at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park. The following day, March 12th the family is hosting a Celebration of Life for close family and friends in Mesa, Arizona.