Robert Lee McElroy Sr. (Bob) was the son of Ruthie Wood and Junior McElroy. He was born on September 22, 1946, in Macks, Arkansas, and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 20, 2023.
Bob was drafted to the United States Army in 1966 and deployed to Vietnam in 1967-1968, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart along with several other Army medals. He became a Drill Sergeant at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, in 1975 and was on the trail until 1977. Bob retired in 1991 as a CW3 with 23 years of service.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and teaching his kids and grandkids how to use firearms safely. He loved cooking, traveling and old cars. He was a certified scuba instructor, a licensed pilot and a race car driver. Bob also loved his community where he served as a Vernon Parish Sheriff Deputy for 16 years.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Dorothy and Ruby; and brother, Daniel.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Cris McElroy; son, Robert Lee Jr. and his wife Debra; daughters, Erika and her wife Karen; Jennifer and her husband Cole; four grandchildren, Brandon, Ashlee, Dakota and Nikole; great grandchildren, Ethan, Grayson, Paxton, Tullulah; brothers, Billy and his wife Mary; Bo, and sister, Judy.
A memorial service will be held at Old Anacoco Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 27, 2023, with Bro. Wayne Chance officiating.
