Thomas Crawford Eller

"Tommy" as he was fondly called is survived by his wife of 63 years Melvadene Boston Eller, son Zane Eller (Lana Ensley), grandsons Mason, Hudson, and Maddox, nieces Kitty Eller, Terrie Eller, Meredith Borcich (Chris), Angelique Greene (Ed), and nephew Jonathan Boston and great nieces and nephews. Tommy is predeceased by his brother Ben Eller, Jr. (Janice), parents Benjamin J. Eller and Katherine Crawford Eller, and uncles Frank and Jim Crawford.

Tommy played semi-professional baseball and officiated during many sports league games including but not limited to umpiring baseball as well as softball and refereeing during basketball games for many years. He was an avid golfer. Tommy was an active member of Yadkin Baptist church where he sang in the church choir and was a member of the Baptist Men's Brotherhood serving in many capacities namely cooking breakfast faithfully for years and assisted in teaching Sunday School. Tommy received special recognition of the Living Stone at Yadkin Baptist Church due to his faithful service, tireless dedication and many years of ministry in the community. In 1960, Tommy married a former Happy Valley Cheerleader, Melvadene Boston. He was a charter member of the Happy Valley Optimist Club, Gamewell Optimist Club and the Happy Valley Lions Club. He was also a member of the Joy Club. Tommy earned the rank of Corporal in the U.S. Army while serving during the Korean War.

He loved the Lord and his family greatly and especially enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports as he rarely missed one of their ball games.

A memorial service will occur on Sunday, Oct. 29th at 3:00 PM Yadkin Baptist Church with the family receiving friends for an hour prior, from 2:00 until 3:00 PM. A private graveside service is being scheduled for a later date in the church's cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Yadkins Baptist Church or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Thomas Crawford Eller.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com for the Eller family.