McElroy, John Craven

John Craven McElroy, 92, of Raleigh, N.C., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.

John was a native of Scotland, Ind., and the son of the late John Ralph and Elizabeth Craven McElroy. He was a 1941 graduate of Purdue University. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy throughout World War II. After the war he married his grade school sweetheart, Marjorie Norman in 1946. They then moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he joined Collins Radio Company as a development engineer. For 20 years there and later in Dallas, Texas, Marge and John raised their four children.

Under John's direction at Collins Radio space-borne telecommunications systems were perfected for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs.

After his retirement in 1974, John and Marge lived in Austin, Texas, before moving to Raleigh in the early 80s. There in Raleigh, while Marge was involved with the North Carolina Museum of Art, John pursued his passion for woodworking and was an active figure at the Crafts Center at NC State University and for Habitat For Humanity. Marge and John were members of White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

John was predeceased by Marge in 2008, after 62 years of marriage.

He is survived by son, Joe McElroy of Fort Lauderdale, daughter Ann McElroy of Raleigh, son, Gary McElroy of New York, and son Robert McElroy of Atlanta. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Alice Taylor of Odessa, Texas, sister Carol Foster of Greenfield, Ind., and brother, James McElroy of Santa Clara, Calif.

A private family memorial service will be conducted Thursday, Feb. 9, at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Memorial donations may be made to the NCSU Crafts Center. Checks may be made payable to the Crafts Center Enhancement Fund, The Crafts Center, Campus Box 7320, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695.

Published in The Gazette Feb. 8, 2012.