LEXINGTON — James A. McElroy, 76, of Morgan Drive, Lexington, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.
He was born Oct. 6, 1932, in Wadsworth and was the son of the late Marshall and Elva (Hay) McElroy. Jimm was a 1950 graduate of Wadsworth High School and studied Business at Akron University. He served in the U.S. Army and was a combat veteran of the Korean War.
He began his professional career as production manager at Akron Metallic Gasket Co., where he later became president. In 1966, he moved the company to Mount Vernon, where he changed the name to AMG Industries. In 1972, Mr. McElroy acquired full ownership of AMG Industries and served as chief executive officer and chairman of the board.
Mr. McElroy was a 50-year member of the Wadsworth Masonic Lodge. He also maintained memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Combat Infantrymen’s Association. From 1985 to 2003, Jimm served on the Board of Directors for First Knox Banc Corp., First-Knox National Bank and Park National Corp.
Actively involved in the Mount Vernon Community, Jimm had served as the president of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club, a director of Mercy Hospital, founding director of Knox Community Hospital, president of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of the Mount Vernon YMCA and the United Way of Mount Vernon.
Jimm was an active leader in the political process. A lifelong Republican, he worked on various campaigns and with administrations on a local, state and national level.
He was a member of the Fredericktown United Methodist Church and served as both choir director and treasurer.
He is survived by his wife, Rita (Neal) McElroy; two sons, David (Anne) McElroy of Mount Vernon and Dennis (Carol) McElroy of Fredericktown; a daughter, Lisa Thomas of Umatilla, Fla.; two stepsons, Michael (Justina) Erre of Costa Mesa, Calif., and Brad (Anya) Erre of Jersey City, N.J.; 11 grandchildren, Michael McElroy, Stephanie McElroy, James (Kerry) McElroy, Jessica (Yanni) Geladakis, Jeffrey McElroy, Heather Thomas, Chad Thomas, Erica Thomas, Nathan Erre, Hannah Erre and Seth Erre; a great-grandson, Patric McElroy; and two brothers, Robert (Carolyn) McElroy and Larry (Judy) McElroy, both of Rittman.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. A memorial service will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at the Fredericktown United Methodist Church, 123 Columbus Road, Fredericktown, OH 43019. This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of James A. McElroy.
