James Russell McElroy, Jr.

James Russell McElroy, Jr. “Judge”, was born June 7, 1937 in Birmingham, Alabama and passed away on Friday, November 29 at his home. He attended Edgewood Grammar School and Shades Valley High School. He graduated from Sewanee Military Academy and Sewanee: The University of the South. Later, he attended the Marine Basic School, Quantico, VA, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA, and graduated from the College of Naval Warfare, Newport, RI.

Colonel McElroy joined the Navy reserves at age seventeen, transferred to the Marine Corps Reserves and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1960.

An infantry officer, his first duties were as a rifle platoon leader in the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA and then the 3rd Marine Division in the Western Pacific.

As a Captain he was in Vietnam (1966-67) as a rifle company commander and executive officer

of a combined action group. While a Major he was senior advisor to a South Vietnamese Marine Corps infantry battalion (1970-71).

As a Lieutenant Colonel, he was executive officer of a Marine regiment and then commanding officer of an infantry battalion and battalion landing team (Mediterranean, Indian Ocean). Later he served as logistics officer for the 2nd Marine Division and was promoted to Colonel in 1981.

During 1982-83 Colonel McElroy served with the 3rd Marine Division (Western Pacific) as operation officer and commanding officer of a Marine regiment.

Colonel McElroy’s decorations include 2 awards, Silver Star Medal; 2 awards, Legion of Merit; 2 awards, Bronze Star Medal each with Combat V; 2 awards of the Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal.

Upon retirement in 1984, he and his family returned to the Birmingham area where his mother and father and his wife’s widower father lived with them until their deaths.

Colonel McElroy is survived by his wife of over forty-nine years Brownley Hunter Marshall McElroy; son James Russell McElroy, III; daughter Katharine McElroy Manasco (Hunter); grandchildren Philip Marshall McElroy II; James “Jay” Russell McElroy, IV; Susan Elizabeth McElroy; Brownley Hunter Manasco; and James Hunter Manasco II. He was preceded in death by son Philip Marshall McElroy, sister Marian McElroy Gillespie, and parents Judge and Mrs. James Russell McElroy.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for sixty-five years. He formerly taught and was president of the Brotherhood Class.

A graveside service, including full military honors for Colonel McElroy, will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama. Following the graveside service the family will receive friends at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, Alabama from 12:30 to 2:30 PM where refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be made to Semper Fi Fund for injured Marines: Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057; Semperfifund.org

Condolences to the McElroy family can be left at ridoutsvalleychapel.com.