ODIE LOYD ELROD, 78, died on June 2, 2003 with burial
in Eastland City Cemetery in Eastland, TX.
Loyd was the last child of 13, born to this family
on his Mother's birthday, Jan. 14, 1925, on the
family farm, in the School Hill community near
Desdemona, to Lola Lugenia Smith & Jesse Uri Elrod.
He was raised near Alameda and was a 1943 graduate
of Ranger High School at Ranger, TX. He married
his sweetheart, Opal Dee Eaton (RHS-1943), in 1943,
at Ranger. He farmed around Ranger for several years
before entering the U.S. Army during WWII, serving
in the states. After his discharge he returned to
Ranger where he worked for Montgomery Ward for a
time before beginning work for the Civil Service,
first at Pyote and later at Fort Wolters in Mineral
Wells where he moved his family. Retiring in 1966
he moved to Eastland and worked for Mobil Oil Company
and later for Maverick Car Wash where he enjoyed
visiting with the patrons. He was a member of the
First Baptist Church, American Legion, and enjoyed
drinking coffee and telling jokes, visiting, camping
and outdoor activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Uri
& Lola Leugenia Smith Elrod, great-grandson, Matthew
Chaney, brothers, Grady Elrod, Obie Elrod, Truman
Elrod, Arlie Elrod, Garlan Elrod, Ross Elrod, & Rex
Elrod also sisters, Retta Elrod McMurray, Thelma Elrod
Hanna, May Elrod Fair & Azlee Elrod Kile.
He is survived by his wife, Opal Elrod of Eastland,
daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Gayle Chaney of
Eastland, son & daughter-in-law, Dan and Julie Elrod
of Eastland, a sister, Dora Elston of Stephenville, 3
sisters-in-law, Ena Hopper Byrd (decd-2020) of Wichita
Falls, Dorothy Elrod of Ranger & Wanda Elrod of Byers,
TX, grandchildren and spouses, Mark and Pam Chaney,
Angie and Patrick Bailey, Bryan and Brandy Elrod
and Brent Elrod, great-grandchildren, Brady Elrod
and Briley Elrod, many nieces and nephews.