Kenneth Jerrell McElyea

Kenneth Jerrell McElyea passed from this life into Heaven on Oct 1, 2015. Kenneth was born on Dec 5, 1934 in Deport (Paris) TX to Ferris Olin McElyea and Ora Edith Pomroy. His family relocated to Bisbee AZ in 1942. Kenneth graduated from Bisbee High School in 1953 and then joined the US Army where he served in Germany. Kenneth then returned to Bisbee where he worked for Phelps-Dodge in the copper mines for several years. He was then offered a scholarship to play football for Northern Arizona University. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Education and Master's Degree in Physical Education, graduating in 1963. He then taught and coached football at Flagstaff High School, became Athletic Director and football coach in Camp Verde AZ and then was Assistant School Superintendent in Ganado on the Navajo Reservation. In 1980 Kenneth returned to Bisbee where he became Superintendent & Prinicpal of the Naco School District until he retired in 1994. Kenneth leaves his loving wife of 25 years, Dorene Wertz McElyea; children: Sheila McElyea (Eric) Whitley of Glendale, AZ; son David (Marcella) McElyea of Safford, AZ; stepchildren: Troy (Denise) Cary of Napa, CA; Veronique (Donny) Peters of Tucson, AZ; Brendan (Jessica) Cary of Napa, CA; Patrick Pourier of Tucson, AZ and grandchildren Chelsie Cary (Joseph) Blakeley, Sean Pourier, Alex Pourier, Brenna Rose Peters and great-grandson Joseph Phillip Blakeley Jr. Also brother CW (Sally) McElyea of Bisbee, sister Lynda Bednorz of Bisbee. Kenneth was blessed with numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Services will be Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish, Bisbee, AZ

Rosary 9:30 am and Mass 10:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital are requested.