James Ralph McElroy

James Ralph (Jim) McElroy was born on January 22, 1924, in Milford, Iowa, to Ralph Thomas McElroy and Margaret Gilchrist McElroy. He died June 27, 2012 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Friday and 9 AM on Saturday followed by funeral services at 10:00 AM at Wright and Ferguson in Ridgeland. Burial will be in Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

He grew up in Milford, graduating from Milford HS, excelling in all sports and keeping lifelong friends. He joined the US Army Air Corps in1943 and received his wings at Luke Field in Phoenix AZ Served from 1943 to 1948, as a pilot of B-17’s and B-29’s in Germany and Italy.

Upon his discharge from the service as Captain, he enrolled in the Univ. of CO where he received a B.S. and M.S. in geology. He began his career as a petroleum geologist in Denver CO with California Co, now Chevron. He spent the next eight years working the Rocky Mountain states before being transferred to Jackson in 1955,. The next 30 years he worked for various oil companies, including Chevron, Murphy Oil, Florida Exploration, Continental Group, and Enron, throughout the Gulf Coast, being stationed in Jackson, New Orleans, El Dorado, AR, and Houston, TX, finally retiring in 1986 when he returned to Jackson. He was a member of the American Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists, MS Geological Society, GCAGS. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed his golf group at Live Oaks Golf Club for many years and passed on his love of golf to his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed family gatherings. He also enjoyed playing the guitar. He was a longtime member of Briarwood United Methodist Church and the Wesley Sunday School Class.

He was preceded in death by parents and sisters, Marcia McElroy, and Jean Youngdale; his first wife, Bernadine Tierney McElroy.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dot Pickens McElroy, and five children: Mike McElroy of Del Valle, TX; Bob McElroy (Ann) of Madison, MS; Ann McElroy Johanson (Blair) of Fayetteville, AR; Kathy Knott Hubbard (Bob) of Pensacola, FL; and Kenneth Knott (Amy) of Amory, MS. Eight grandchildren: Steven Johanson and Lindsay Johanson, Fayetteville, AR; Thomas McElroy (Missy) of Jackson; Michael McElroy (Reagan) of Brandon, MS; Amanda Knott Johnson (Trey) of Jonesboro, AR; Madison Boyd, Saltillo, MS; Neely Knott and Wesley Knott of Amory, MS. Two great grandchildren: Tucker Johnson, Jonesboro, and Emma McElroy, Jackson. Also, two nieces: Susan Paulson (Ned) and Patsy Chesney both of Virginia Beach, VA and one nephew: Carl A. Youngdale, Jr. of Atlanta.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Salvation Army or to Briarwood United Methodist Church.