Harvey Ray McElroy

Harvey Ray McElroy , age 87 and a long-time resident of Konawa, Oklahoma, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 28, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.  A special “thank you” goes to Kindful Hospice of Ada, Oklahoma for their loving care of Harvey.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Konawa under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home of Konawa.  Pastor, Mike Cox and Evangelist, Mick Snider will officiate, and burial will follow at Vamoosa Cemetery.  Casket bearers are his grandsons, and honorary bearers are Leland McElroy, Greg McElroy, Marvin Patterson, Ted Eberle, Ray Lemmings, Dallas McPhil, Eddie Mathey, and Wesley Yott.

For those unable to attend, the funeral will be available to view on Facebook live. Live viewing will begin at 2:00 on the Swearingen Funeral Home Facebook page.

Harvey was born April 12, 1934 in Mountain Park, Oklahoma to Claud Clarence McElroy and Edith Viola (Dickinson) McElroy.  He graduated from Mountain Park High School.  After serving in France in the U.S. Air force, he returned to Oklahoma and began a career in the grocery business.  During this time, he met his “Darling Debra”.  He married Debra Sue Jeffery on June 1, 1970 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Together, they owned McElroy Redbud Grocery Store in Konawa.  He became a Christian in 1979 at the First Baptist Church of Konawa, and he was also a member of the church.  Harvey later went on to work for Farm Fresh Dairy until he retired.  He will be remembered for his amazing lawn which can only be outdone by the green pastures of Psalm 23 which he treasured reading.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Debra McElroy of the home; two sons, Jeff McElroy and wife, Annette of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Michael McElroy and wife, Allyson of Ada, Oklahoma; one daughter, Robbi Gillum and husband, Dewayne of Konawa, and Angie Pennick of Texas; seven grandchildren, Dillon Snow, Zach Snow, Chelsea Darr and husband, Dakota, Rachel Morlan and husband, Skylar, Cameron McElroy, Shane McElroy, and Cole McElroy; and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Arthur, Alvin, Clarence, Clovis, and Melvin McElroy; and one sister, Roxie McNabb.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children - 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or be made to the Konawa First Baptist Church Vision Fund - P.O. Box 308 Konawa, OK 74849.