Fred Charles McElroy

Fredrick Charles McElroy, 83, Independence, Kansas passed Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at home. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Celebration of life services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023,  at Christian Community Church in Longton, Kansas.  Following the service there will be a time for fellowship.

Fred was born October 5, 1939, in Topeka, Kansas to Hayden Elwood and Ailene (Kindred) McElroy. At a young age the family moved several times Fred attended schools in California, Arkansas and Missouri. Fred married Gayla Rosenbaum on August 27, 1960, in Fair Grove, Missouri. The couple moved several times, living in Kansas, Missouri Colorado and settling in Longton, Kansas in 1977 to raise the family. Fred was employed as a fruit picker, tractor operator and a truck driver. After raising the family Fred and Gayla decided to travel and became snowbirds living in California and Kansas until their health made them move back home in 2014 to be near family setting in Independence, Kansas.

Fred enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, boating, playing cards and dominos and especially spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, April, five brothers, Paul, Bobby, Lloyd, Junior, and Bill, two sisters, Anita Rae McElroy, and Emma Lea Grurlkey. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 62 years Gayla of the home, two sons, Hayden ( Lisa) McElroy, Neodesha, Kansas; Onis (Julie) McElroy, Longton Kansas ; six daughters, Gina McElroy, Independence, Kansas; Suzie ( Steve) Hardiman, Independence, Kansas; Dianna Sutton, Independence, Kansas;  Jane ( Virgil) Page, Winfield, Kansas; Emily ( Kevin) Parker, Independence, Kansas; Christina (Brad) Barton, Belaire, Kansas;  two brothers, Brent ( Rosemary) McElroy, Elk City, Kansas; Tommy ( Cindy) McElroy, Colorado Springs, Colorado; three sisters, Roberta Taylor, Longton, Kansas; Annie ( Pat) Wright, Wichita, Kansas ; Doris Robinson, Springfield, Missouri; 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one on the way. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.