Lynwood Mcelroy

Waynesville – Lynwood P. McElroy, 98, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at his residence. A native of the Ironduff section of Haywood County, he was a son of the late James Lawson and Martha Dare Crawford McElroy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Medford McElroy, who died in 1997; a sister, Leska Brown; and a brother, James D. McElroy. After attending Brevard College and Western Carolina University, he joined the United States Navy during World War II and served with the Naval Medical Research Unit #2 in the Pacific. From 1946 to 1956, Lynwood worked at the business administration agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Montana and North and South Dakota. He received a Master's Degree from Vanderbilt University. After receiving his degree, orders came from the United States Navy which took him back to Korea for three years. Lynwood then returned to Haywood County and married the love of his life, Mary. In 1958, they moved to St. Augustine, Florida where he worked as chief financial officer for the St. John's County Board of Education. He retired from this in 1980. He then returned to Haywood County and served on the board of directors for the Friends of the Library for ten years, nine as their treasurer. He was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Lynwood was the leader in charge of the completion of the old Bald-Balsam Gap section of the mountain-to-sea trail with 30 to 40 volunteers. He worked tirelessly every week maintaining the trail and was an avid reader and gardener. Lynwood was active in the Rotary, Kiwanis, American Legion and past director of the Red Cross. He is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Harrell of Mooresville and Joan Osborne of Clyde; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Sandy Giles, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of the Haywood County Public Library Inc., 678 South Haywood Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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