Kenneth Dale McElroy

Born March 3, 1929 in Steubenville, OH, Ken was raised in Wintersville, OH where he helped at the family’s small grocery store or worked at a nearby West Virginia steel mill. He joined the Army during the Korean war as a medical technician. He was eventually stationed at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital. It was there he met his future wife, “a beautiful WAC from Hawaii”. He married the love of his life, Eleanor (Chris) Chrisostomo in 1952.

Ken studied music at the Muskingum University and received his Master’s Degree in Music from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. He was an accomplished tenor soloist, taught music in Denver Public Schools for over 25 years and served as choir director at Parkhill, Grant Avenue and Brentwood United Methodist Churches in Denver and performed at several other churches. He was a frequent soloist at Community Fellowship of Christians in Lake George, CO as long as he was able to attend.

Ken and Chris enjoyed doing everything together including skiing, bowling and camping (even during the winter). They tried deep sea fishing and ice fishing, duck hunting and white water rafting. They were winter birds in Mesa, Arizona and loved traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, Branson, Seattle, Chicago, Wisconsin, Portland and San Francisco.

In 1976, Ken and Chris bought land on Bear Mountain Road in Florissant, CO and put a camping trailer on it. They camped there nearly every weekend until they retired and built their dream home in 1990. Ken lived there for 30 years, including the 10 years following the passing of his wife. He was active in his mountain community and loved his church family at Community Fellowship of Christians.

Ken was an avid sports fan, especially the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies from their very beginnings. He was never a fair weather fan!

Ken will be remembered for his charm and quick wit, his dedication to his students and his amazing tenor voice. But mostly he will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family, friends and faith.

Ken is preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 57 years, Eleanor (Chris) McElroy, parents, Vernon C. and Margaret Pearl McElroy, sister, Bertie Mae Angle. He is survived by son Vernon McElroy (Judy), daughter Anita Wenglasz (Walter), son David McElroy (Carol), grandchildren Christopher and Steven Wenglasz, Matthew Gravina (Jessica), Kenneth McElroy (Renee), Joanne Severns (Gary), David McElroy (Alysha) and great-grandchildren Konner, Brooke, Jacob, Adam, Easton, Caleb, Lane, Rosalee, Cooper, Gianna and great great grandson Weston. Nephews John Angle (Kathy), David Angle (Karen), Terrance Chrisostomo (Annette) and Sherry Guillero (Nester).