Ralph Curtis Mcelroy

Ralph Curtis McElroy, of Maryville, TN, went to meet his Lord and Savior on July 2, 2021. He was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to all whose lives he touched. Curtis, as he was known to most of his friends and family, was born March 1, 1928, in Englewood, Tn. Son of the late Oscar and Eliza McElroy, one of their 9 children. He left home at the age of 14 to move to Alcoa where he worked on building the then new Knoxville airport. He later worked for the Alcoa Aluminum Company for 42 years, retiring in 1996. On the side, he always had a car shop or gas station where he enjoyed working on cars. He was married to Sara Elizabeth McElroy for 67 years. They married just before he shipped out for the army where he served in the occupying force in Japan at the end of WWII. He was an active member of Central Baptist Church of Alcoa since 1953 and served as a deacon for 38 years serving many of those years as the chairman. He also drove the church van for many years and loved every minute. Curtis was also an active member of the masons for 63 years, where he served as a secretary and then later assisted with collecting, repairing and delivering medical equipment to anyone with a need. He earned the 32nd degree and was awarded the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor. Although he dropped out of school following the third grade, the Alcoa High School recently awarded him a High School Diploma which was to have been presented on July 10. He is survived by two daughters Sandra McNamee (m. Samuel McNamee) of Knoxville Tammi McElroy of San Jose, CA., his son-in-law Bob McFarland of Niceville, FL., five grandchildren nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Sara Elizabeth (d. Dec, 31, 2012), his daughter Sara McFarland (d. June 8, 1996) and a great-granddaughter, Jane Catherine Ollis (d. Sept. 4, 2016). along with his parents and 8 brothers and sisters. A celebration of life will be held July 10, 2021, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville, TN. Friends will be received 1:00 -2:00 pm with a Memorial service at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Central Baptist Church Van Fund. Donations may be mailed to Central Baptist Church 962 Springbrook Road Alcoa, TN 37701. www.mccammonammonsclick.com