Jim Mckelvy

Jim Ferguson McKelvy, 85, was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at a local hospital.

Visitation for family and friends will be Sunday, June 8, 2008 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy. 277 South. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 9 at Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2910 S. 20th with Rev. Mike Woodard officiating; entombment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park in the Garden Mausoleum with military honors.

Jim was born on April 30, 1923 in Blum, TX to Pickens J. and Maggie McKelvy. He enlisted in the United States Navy January 27, 1942, where he served for 4 years 11 months. All his time was spent in the Pacific Theatre, serving on the USS Saratoga, USS Vulcan and USS Moale; some of the ports were India, Japan, Australia, Fiji Islands, Hawaii and other islands. He was in the Naval Reserve for four years. Jim returned home to Cleburne, where he began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone and ATT; he retired in Abilene with 37 years of service.

He married Norma Dee Price in Childress on July 10, 1949 and they moved to Abilene in 1951. He is a long time member of the Southwest Park Baptist Church. After retirement Jim enjoyed traveling, fishing and gardening with family and friends. He was a handy man, who could fix anything; there was a great demand for his services in the retirement community.

He is survived by his wife, Norma of the home; son, Darryl and wife, Debbie McKelvy of Sulphur, LA.; Denise Stairs and husband, Greg of Mansfield; grandchildren, Jody McKelvy of Sulphur, LA, and Rachel and Eric Stairs of Mansfield; brother, P.J. McKelvy of Cleburne; sister, Eula Mae Lenard of Alvarado; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and a sister.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Easy Rider Van Project, co Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2910 S. 20th, Abilene, TX 79605.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the obituary link at www.elmwoodfuneral.com

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Sunday, June 8, 2008
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

Southwest Park Baptist Church
2910 S. 20th
Abilene, TX  79605
Monday, June 9, 2008
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

Easy Rider Van ProjectH
c/o Southwest Park Baptist Church
Abilene, T  79605