John Ray McElroy was born August 12, 1951 in Winnfield, Louisiana.  He peacefully went to heaven Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ardis and Ruth McElroy and his sister, Sheila McElroy Stewart.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Joyce Dyson McElroy; his sons Clint Schilling (Jaime) and Heath McElroy (Jill) and his daughter Heather Pendarvis (Brock); grandchildren Haley Worthington (J. J.), Hannah Stricklin (Tacoma), Isaac McElroy, Isabella Schilling, Cooper McElroy, and Jessica McElroy; great grandson Jaxon Worthington; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

John was a 1969 graduate of Winnfield Senior High School.  As a truck driver by trade, he hauled many loads and varieties of cargo. He worked for several  companies during his career, but he loved working for Martin Forest Products.  He had a 35 year career with them. Other than spending time with family, his most favorite hobby was deer hunting.  It was his passion.  He adored his time in the deer stand.

It's often said that a person's life is represented in the dash that falls between the birth date and the death date.  He filled his dash with a lifetime of love, family, and friends. During the 26,455 days of John's life, he loved and laughed; he worked and worshiped, he made memories and he prayed.  He was so much to so many.  He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend.

John's family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Southern Funeral Home, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM , and again  on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Southern Funeral Home, from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Norris Curry and Rev. Duane Moreno officiating. Interment will follow in Hargis Cemetery, in Montgomery.

Those honored to serve the family as pallbearers are Daniel Wyatt, Thomas Horne, Canyon Compton, Parker Sonnier, J. J. Worthington, and Tacoma Stricklin.

Honorary pallbearers are Tracey Horne, Mike Walker, Bobby Yelverton, Jesse Dyson, Houston Etheridge, Mike Green, and Jaxon Worthington..