Born the son of L.B. and Nadine (Weiss) McCoy on September 19, 1936, in Rowena, Texas, Eldon at the age of three lost his father, L.B., in a tragic car accident near Rowena. His family struggled during those hard years, and eventually he moved to Bangs, Texas, where he graduated from Bangs High School in 1954. There, he met his high school sweetheart, Alva Lee Kelley, and on December 1, 1956, married her on what he remembers as “the happiest day of my life.” Eldon lived as a devoted husband and father for 67 years. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson as well as all his family.
In 1954, Eldon worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, mostly out of Sweetwater, Texas, followed by a job with General Telephone Company in San Angelo, Texas. In 1957, Eldon and wife moved to Abilene, Texas where he began working for the Texas Highway Department (TxDOT) and served there as an Engineer Technician 5 until retirement 36 years later in 1993.
A lover of the outdoors, Eldon enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, woodcarving, and photography. He took deep pleasure in growing things and kept one of the most manicured lawns and lush flower beds in his neighborhood. The landscaping and walkways he made were created with meticulous engineered accuracy. He especially loved the beauty and aroma of flowers to his dying day.
Eldon was a “gentle”-man in the true sense of the word, and he consistently demonstrated a kind spirit and compassion for all, including beloved family pets. He studied the Bible and was prepared to meet God in his final days. Perhaps he might not be counted as having performed great things when measured by the world, but in life as a son, brother, husband, father, and uncle he was indeed a great man and will be greatly missed.
Eldon was preceded in death by wife Alva Lee McCoy; parents L.B. McCoy and Nadine Evelyn (Weiss) McCoy-Snow; stepfather Raymond “Ray” Earl Snow; and son Jeffrey Howard McCoy, an Abilene Police Officer killed in the line of duty in June 2007.
Survivors include Eldon’s son Randy McCoy and wife Dee Dee of Fort Worth; three grandchildren: Chester McCoy and wife Charlene of Lubbock Texas, Sarah McCoy of Fort Worth, Texas, and Ella McCoy of Pass Christian, Mississippi; great-grandson Ethan James McCoy of Lubbock, Texas; a brother, Thomas William “Mac” McCoy of Abilene, Texas; a sister, Marian Elizabeth Probst and husband Norman E. Probst of Early, Texas; two step-brothers: Paul Lamont “Monty” Snow and wife Rochelle of Keller, Texas, and Raymond “Derek” Snow and wife Martha of Fort Worth, Texas; special niece Kelly Berl of Champaign, Illinois; special nephew Darrell Probst of Brownwood, Texas; and several cousins.
Visitation will be 9:30-10:30AM Saturday, December 16, at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 US Highway 277 South in Abilene. Graveside service will be conducted at 11:00AM in Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 US Highway 277 South in Abilene.
Memorial donations may be given to the Abilene Police Department, Hendrick Hospice Care, or a charity of choice.
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