Earl Crawford McElreath, Jr.

Earl Crawford McElreath, Jr., 80, of 188 Old Newfound Rd., passed away on April 10, 2016 in Leicester, NC. A native of Buncombe Co., he was born on April 4, 1936. He was the son of the late Earl Crawford McElreath, Sr. and Edith Gillespie McElreath. He grew up in Leicester, NC. He graduated from Leicester High School in 1954. After high school he attended Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Earl Jr. married Joan Rogers McElreath on June 8, 1957 and they were happily married for 57 1/2 years. Earl retired from Southern Bell Phone Company after thirty seven years of service. He always loved farming and raising cattle. He especially enjoyed growing his vegetable garden along the creek then sharing with the family and neighbors. He helped form the Singlefoot Horse Association in Hendersonville, NC along with Dr. J. G. Betts. Earl also bred and raised horses for many years hoping to continue the Singlefoot gait. Many good times were spent riding and camping throughout the years. He was widely known for his dancing abilities as a buck dancer. He was the caller for The Hanlon Mountain Square Dance Team and he and Joan danced for many years along with their friends. Earl Jr. was a cherished father, grandfather and friend who will long be remembered for the love, help, and guidance he gave to his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Rogers McElreath. He is survived by his children, sons Tim McElreath and Roger McElreath, and daughter Melinda McElreath Rogers and husband Bill, all of Leicester, NC; sister Brenda McElreath Ponder of Leicester; grandchildren, Lindsey McElreath, Evan McElreath, Brian McElreath, and Ashton Rogers; and step-grandchildren Michael Johnson and T.J. Morgan. The funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in the Patton Ave. chapel of Groce Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Big Sandy United Methodist Church Cemetery. At all other times, family will be at the home of Bill and Melinda Rogers, 184 Old Newfound Rd., Leicester, NC.