Timothy Edwin Mcelroy

Timothy Edwin McElroy, a 30 year resident of Okmulgee, peacefully passed away on Saturday, November 18 at the age of 72. He was born to Edwin Howard McElroy and Betty Jean Goolsby on January 16, 1951 in Fresno, CA. As a child and young adult, Tim enjoyed all the natural beauty that California had to offer, from camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains to enjoying the beaches of Monterey and Santa Cruz. He graduated from Grace Davis high school in 1969 in Modesto, CA.

After high school, Tim attended San Jose State University where he obtained a Bachelor's of Fine Art degree. Tim enjoyed the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s in the Bay Area, once jokingly recalling how he and his brothers walked through Haight Ashbury in San Francisco (hippie capital of the world) looking like "a bunch of squares" with their short hair and clean cut appearances.

In the 1980s Tim worked for a carpenter's union in Modesto, CA. During this time his wife gave birth to a boy and girl. In the early 1990s he moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma to be near his children after their divorce. While working construction jobs, he attended the University of Tulsa to obtain his teaching credentials. While coaching little league soccer for his son's team, Tim met Patricia McDonald.

In 2000, Tim and Pat married, creating a blended family and loving home together. Patricia appreciated his dry sense of humor and learned to let him have complete control of the TV and radio.

He devoted 15+ years of public service to the Okmulgee school system. Working for OPS was not always the easiest job as an art teacher, but watching students thrive who weren't good at sports or "band" always made his job worthwhile.

Tim was a master in the kitchen. Some of his best recipes included stir fry, homemade spaghetti sauce, and chicken cacciatore. Naturally, he was the king of family BBQs, whether it was in his own backyard or at Okmulgee Lake.

He was also a very talented artist, most notable are his beautiful landscape, floral, and portrait paintings. He won many art contests in his lifetime.

Tim's other biggest passion in life was football. He was a die hard 49ers fan. Good luck talking to him when there was a game on TV! Every year he enjoyed playing fantasy football with his son, Bryan.

He is survived by his wife Patricia McElroy of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, daughter Kelsey Mangan and husband Andrew of Bend, Oregon, son Bryan McElroy and fiancee Mariya of Redmond, Oregon, son Joseph Brant and wife Landy of Beggs, Oklahoma, son Jeremiah Brant of McAlester, Oklahoma, son Mark Brant of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, son Stephen Brant of Dallas, Texas, brother Brent McElroy of LaConner, Washington, brother Tom McElroy and wife Diane of Bremerton, Washington, and numerous other beloved family members.

He is preceded in death by his mother Betty Goolsby, father Edwin McElroy, and cherished pet dog "Daffy", who was a loyal companion to the end.

Tim was a beloved and proud husband, father, grandpa and friend to many. His warm heart, big hugs and loving brown eyes will be missed greatly.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Okmulgee Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 220 S. Alabama, Okmulgee, OK 74447. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com