Roger Leon McElroy
April 8, 1937 ~ March 6, 2016
Roger Leon McElroy, 78, died peacefully Sunday, March 6, 2016 after an extended period living with advanced cancer. He was a longtime resident of Oakton, VA.
Roger was born April 8, 1937 in Highland Park, MI to the late Ivan and Opal McElroy. His family moved to Arkansas in 1946, where he lived until entering the United States Army in 1962. He was a graduate of Lake Hamilton High School (Hot Springs, AR), Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, AR), and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (Fort McNair, Washington, DC).
Roger retired from active duty as a Colonel in the Army in 1992. He commanded a Combat Company (1965 1966) and a Special Operations Group Camp (1968 -1969) in Vietnam; served as a History Instructor with the Air Force Academy (1970 - 1974); and commanded an Infantry Battalion (1979 - 1981) and an Infantry Brigade (1984 - 1986) in the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI.
After retiring from the Army, Roger became a master craftsman, building and designing beautiful living spaces and heirloom-quality furniture. Roger pursued his love of nature and commitment to personal challenge by hiking all of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal trail, and at age 74, the Grand Canyon, from rim to rim. And, he marched through his Bucket List Trips, exploring a range of destinations such as Alaska and Tibet.
He will be remembered for his passion for living, enormously positive attitude, sense of adventure, hearty laugh, love for family and friends, authenticity and patriotism.
Roger is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Regina McElroy, his daughter and her husband, two grandchildren, and brother.
Relatives and friends will be received at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Tuesday, March 15 from 6 to 8 pm. Services at Fort Myer with interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the Family requests memorials be made to the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health (www.childrensinn.org).
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Roger was born April 8, 1937 in Highland Park, MI to the late Ivan and Opal McElroy. His family moved to Arkansas in 1946, where he lived until entering the United States Army in 1962. He was a graduate of Lake Hamilton High School (Hot Springs, AR), Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, AR), and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (Fort McNair, Washington, DC).
Roger retired from active duty as a Colonel in the Army in 1992. He commanded a Combat Company (1965 1966) and a Special Operations Group Camp (1968 -1969) in Vietnam; served as a History Instructor with the Air Force Academy (1970 - 1974); and commanded an Infantry Battalion (1979 - 1981) and an Infantry Brigade (1984 - 1986) in the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI.
After retiring from the Army, Roger became a master craftsman, building and designing beautiful living spaces and heirloom-quality furniture. Roger pursued his love of nature and commitment to personal challenge by hiking all of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal trail, and at age 74, the Grand Canyon, from rim to rim. And, he marched through his Bucket List Trips, exploring a range of destinations such as Alaska and Tibet.
He will be remembered for his passion for living, enormously positive attitude, sense of adventure, hearty laugh, love for family and friends, authenticity and patriotism.
Roger is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Regina McElroy, his daughter and her husband, two grandchildren, and brother.
Relatives and friends will be received at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Tuesday, March 15 from 6 to 8 pm. Services at Fort Myer with interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the Family requests memorials be made to the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health (www.childrensinn.org).
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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I was honored to work with McElroy and Regina for over 4 years in the treatment of his cancer. I was always so impressed by his love of life and people and his respectful love and appreciation of Regina! He will be sorely missed!
I will miss seeing you both. You always had something positive to say and it was a true pleasure talking to both of you.
I was deeply saddened to hear about Mr. McElroy’s passing. I’m definitely going to miss him saying my name as if he were commanding soldiers when seeing me. It made me smile. I always looked forward to his and Mrs. McElroy’s arrival and felt a special bond with both of them. Always positive and never upset. He was definitely a special man. So honored to have known him. Rest in paradise.
Regina, heaven has another angel! He was such a nice, nice person. I loved how he said he needed a food subsidy (smile) when he married his Regina-belle. I will miss him. Rest in peace, Roger.
Regina, heaven has another angel! He was such a nice, nice person. I loved how he said he needed a food subsidy (smile) when he married his Regina-belle. I will miss him. Rest in peace, Roger.
Roger was a wonderful addition to our family. I loved the way he loved my cousin and how exceptionally kind he was to everyone. He always had a kind word to share or a story to tell. Rest in peace sweet Roger… until we meet again. Debbie
Regina, Mike and I were so sad to receive your message of Roger’s passing. He was always so positive…an inspiration to all of us! We will stop by to see you in person on March 15. Kathy
My condolences and prayers to Regina and the McElroy family for Roger’s demise. May he find eternal rest and peace in the arms of our creator.
My condolences and prayers to Regina and the McElroy family for Roger’s demise. May he find eternal rest and peace in the arms of our creator.
Regina, Jim, James, and I are sending our condolences and love to you at this difficult time. Though we did not know Roger personally through the beautiful summary of his life we see that he was a wonderful person who served his country well for which we will be eternally grateful. He was a loving husband for many years spending time with you enjoying many of his life experiences. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2Cor4:18 Peace to you while you remember and celebrate this wonderful man’s life. Candace
Kaye and I extend sincere condolences. We served together for many years and I learned to respect and admire Roger. He gave his all in his commitment to service and country.
Regina: Please accept my condolences for your loss and for the slow grief of the impact of cancer on your loved one.
A Grateful Nation remembers Roger McElroy as a Patriot, Loving Husband, Caring Father and Friend, and a Man for ALL Seasons – God Bless
Regina, Vicky and I express our deepest condolences. Roger was the very best neighbor for the 19 years we have lived here. He was a man of great strength with a loving heart. He would do anything — with a smile and his wonderfully hearty laugh. He was the patron saint of our neighborhood and we will miss him.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Roger’s passing. He was such a nice man. My dad and his siblings always talked of the great times spent with Roger and his family, growing up in Arkansas. My thoughts and prayers are with Roger’s immediate family.
I am so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. Your love and devotion was surely a comfort to Roger during his struggle. The love endures and Roger will always be with you. May he rest in peace until you are reunited once again in eternity.
Regina, you know how we feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you walk this new path of life. Roger was very special to us. He was Johns breakfast partner for many extremely enjoyable conversations, for remembering the days of Soldiering, and for sharing new memories. He was a great mentor in many ways, an encourager in difficult times, and a release value with his relaxed unflappable approach and contagious laugh. His love and care for you was always evident in every conversation whether with John alone or when we were together as couples. You both gave freely of your time and your friendship was an absolute blessing. We are better for having Roger as a friend; we solely miss him. May our Lords comfort and compassion carry you and fill your days with His peace.
Dear Regina, We are very sorrow to hear of the passing of Roger but heartened by reading such a nice obituary of his wonderful service and experiences. You and the family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers as you mourn his passing and celebrate his life story.
Sorry to loose my teen age friend. We were best of friends. He was a team mate in basket-ball, Had lots of fun. Sammy Robbecke
My condolences to the entire McElroy family.
Regina and Family, Judy and I were very sorry to hear of your loss. We pray for you at this time of sorrow. May God bless you and your family for this tremendous person you loss. Ernie and Judy Huckaby
Regina and Family I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I didn’t know Roger but he sounds like he was a very special person. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you during this sad time. Jackie
I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my heart-felt condolences and may the prayers of all people who love you bring solace to your soul.
I am very sorry for your loss, dear. My prayers will always be with you.
Dearest Regina: so very sorry to learn about Roger’s passing. May our blessed Lord carry you through this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. With heartfelt sympathy, Barbara and Joe Orandello
Regina. It is difficult to realize Roger has passed away. My memories of him were us being together at the OBU 50 th year reunion of our graduation back in 2010! So much alive. That is how we will remember him as well as memories I have from our college days. He had a successful military career and had many positions that was the envy of those who have served in the US Army. I am proud of him and I know you are as well. We enjoyed spending a little time with you’ll and consider you are friend. We have been praying for Roger and you at church and we will continue remembering you. If we can do anything for you let us know. Linda and Don
To the family of Roger Leon McElroy, I am sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) With sympathy,
Wow he was the best Colonel in the world, and he & Regina were there for myself and Lisa when we came back from Hawaii. He has always been one of the most positive leaders one can ever ever have. Salute to you Colonel McElroy.
Regina I sincerely extent my condolences to you for yourself loss. I had always hoped I would have been able to meet you and see Roger again. He gave Dianne and I such wonderful laughter and memories. He was a joy to be around..my prayers are with you both. Please know that if you ever need to share you thought and memories I will be here for you. That was always a great help to me when my husband passed. Always Anne Lawler (Cricket)
We will miss this fine gentlemen and soldier. Rest his soul.