Mr. Eldridge passed away February 20, 2019, at the Veteran’s Medical Center in Temple, Texas. He was born to William Eldridge and Lillie Jacobs Eldridge on February 29, 1924, in Wolfe City, Texas, where he was raised and educated. He was married to Dorothy Ann Lacy until her death in 1985. He married Jean Burbage on September 7, 1992.
Mr. Eldridge had lived in the Killeen area since 1946. He was one of 10 children, who were raised in Black Cat Thicket, south of Wolfe City, Texas. John enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater in World War II. John re-enlisted into the US Army following his service in the US Marine Corps and served in the Korean conflict and the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) until he was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant and was a purple heart recipient.
Mr. Eldridge is a member of Masonic Lodge #1125 in Killeen, Texas. He is a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner, and is a life member of the DAV and the VFW.
Mr. Eldridge owned and operated the NCO and Officers’ Club barber shops at Fort Hood for 30 years. He was an entrepreneur who found joy in owning and investing in many businesses
John Eldridge was a presence larger than life to his family. He had a strong sense of family and instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of family unity and support for each other. His son and daughters would say that he was a man of few words, but they always knew he was their biggest protector even until the day he went to his heavenly home.
Mr. Eldridge was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Eldridge; his second wife, Jean Burbage Eldridge, three daughters, Johnnie Wood, Judy Fogle and Julie Ashe-Neidert, his son, Gerald (Butch) Eldridge, son-in-laws Ken Ashe and Paul Westerfield, great grandson, Mason Balch, his parents, seven brothers, Odell Eldridge, Ray Eldridge, Willie Eldridge, Jr., Cleburne Eldridge, James Eldridge, Charles Eldridge, Billy Eldridge and two sisters, Irene Dunn and Susie Watson.
Survivors include three daughters, Jerry Wykes (Richard) of Killeen, Linda Gallaway (Terry) of Morgan’s Point, Betty Shupp (Terry) of Rockwall, daughter-in-law Kathy Eldridge, stepdaughter, Kathy Westerfield of Killeen, 22 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and10 great great grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Sunday, February 24 from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.at Crawford Bowers
