Kenneth Jay Elrod

Ken was born in Ranger, Texas on 20 November 1940 to Minnie Belle Browning Elrod and David Obie Elrod, both of Texas. Ken’s father worked in the oil fields and moved frequently. In Texas they lived in Iraan, Snyder, Welch, La Mesa, and Grand Falls. In New Mexico they lived in Jal and Eunice where Ken attended first through fourth grade, then again in high school and graduated in 1959. While in high school, Ken was in band, drama, chorus, sextet, operetta, track, basketball, and football. After graduation he attended Draughons Business School in Lubbock, Texas.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1960. He was stationed aboard USS Los Angeles and USS Agerholm and visited Japan, China, Formosa, Taiwan, Midway, Hawaii, Okinawa, and Mexico. Ken received an Honorable Discharge in August 1964 and served in the Navy Reserves. He returned to active duty Navy with the TAR program in July 1968 and retired in July 1986 with a total of 26 years active duty and reserve time. Following his military career he worked for 15 years as the computer operator/supervisor for Federal Civil Service.

Ken and Jenan were married 27 November 1963 at First Southern Baptist Church San Diego, where they met. They celebrated their 58th anniversary this past November. They moved to Abilene, Texas where Ken attended Hardin Simmons University from ’64-65’, then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended University of New Mexico from ’65-’68 with a major in music. During the years between ’64 and ’82, Ken served as Music Director and sometimes Youth Director for 5 churches in Texas, New Mexico, and California. He also directed children’s choirs for 2 years at Arcane Elementary School in Simi Valley, CA while stationed at Encino Naval Reserve Center.

Ken loved to travel. He and Jenan cruised to the Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean (Greece, Turkey & Israel), Alaska, Hawaii, and the Tahitian Islands. He also loved woodworking and made many table centerpieces for awards ceremonies for Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, as well as a music folder cart for the choir at Gateway Church.

Ken died on 19 December 2021 and will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery on 7 January 2021. He is survived by his wife, Jenan; their daughter Kendra; two grandchildren, Kyla and Kollyn; four great grandchildren; three nieces and one nephew.