Jack McElroy

Mr. McElroy was born in Anita, Iowa on June 23, 1923. He passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014 in Lufkin. A resident of Lufkin for the past year, he previously lived in Tyler, Texas.

Mr. McElroy was a World War II veteran, serving in the 99th Infantry Division of the United States Army. He was transferred to Cannon C0. 394th where he was assigned duties as a radio operator for the Forward Observers of one of the company’s three platoons on the German-Belgium border during the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge in November 1944. He and other members of his company were captured and taken prisoners of war on December 17, 1944. They were taken to Stalag IV-B, a large prisoner of war camp in Germany and later taken to the small town of Heidenau, Germany, near Dresden, as part of a work force used by the mayor of this small town. As the war was nearing the end in April 1945, he and his fellow prisoners were able to escape. After the war, he completed his education at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa, majoring in forestry. Mr. McElroy worked for the U S Forest Service for 33 years, retiring in 1978. He was supervisor of the National Forests in Texas from 1963-1966.

He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Kartye and Marianne Windsor; grandchildren, Jeff and Suzy Childers, Craig and Kelly Kartye, Tracy and Bill Shockney, and Clay and Susanna Kartye; great-grandchildren, Nolan and Graham Childers, Reed and Jared Kartye, Nina and Ben Shockney, and Paul and Annabel Kartye.

Mr. McElroy was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Mabry McElroy; second wife, Marj Gramke McElroy; and son-in-law, Jack Windsor.

The family expresses their gratitude and appreciation to the kind and loving staff of the Neches House in Lufkin and Accolade Hospice.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home