Larry Ray McElroy died on May 23, 2025 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Larry was born on August 15, 1938, in Owensboro, KY to the late Otho Ray and Thelma Alvey McElroy. He was raised in Owensboro and graduated from OHS in 1956, leaving for the US Army six days after graduating. Larry served his country and the American flag for 27 years in the US Army and Army Reserves and various Army bases comair. He served during the Korea-Vietnam Era. He retired from the US Army Reserves in September 1981 at the rank of 1SG. Along the way, he completed four years at the University of Kentucky in 1961. Upon completion of his active military, he entered the US Postal Service in Owensboro and retired in 2000.
Larry was a life member of AMVETS 75, American Legion Post 9, Disabled Americans Chapter 4, VFW 696, and the Loyal Order of the Trench Rats. He served as a Veteran’s Service Officer for 17 years. He was awarded for 50 years of continuous membership with the American Legion in 2019. He was also a DAV van driver until failing health issues prevented him from working. He also found time to care for the American Legion Veteran’s Cemetery in Elmwood Cemetery. Being in the company of veterans was his passion. He was a died-hard UK basketball and Nascar fan. He was an annual member of the Owensboro Healthpark, which was also an enjoyment to him. Larry was of the Christian faith and attended regular Saturday night services and Reach and Teach Classes. He attended weekly bible study classes which he enjoyed and enriched his life at Owensboro Christian Church and attended Pleasant Grove Methodist Church. He was a Kentucky Colonel.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Otho R. and Thelma McElroy; and a sister, Faye Ann McElroy Bates.
Larry is survived by his beloved best friend and later partner for life, Linda Bidwell; son, Shawn A. McElroy (Pam) of Austin, Texas; one granddaughter, Grace McElroy Macayan of Austin, TX (an officer with the USMC); two stepdaughters, Gail Harris of Owensboro, and Judy (Mike) Sholar of Franklin, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm on Thursday, May 29, 2025 Rosehill Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Western Kentucky Veterans Center, 926 Veterans Drive, Hanson, KY 42413.