Gary Alan McElderry was born Dec. 8, 1951, in Council Bluffs, to George Leslie McElderry Jr., and Norma Jean McElderry (née Hatcher). Gary grew up in Missouri Valley, with his three siblings, Debra, Jeff and Susan. Throughout his youth, he played sports, earning Varsity letters in football, baseball and basketball, in which he stood out for his talent. Gary was chosen to be an All-Conference basketball player by the coaches in the Loess Hills Conference.
Following graduation from Missouri Valley High School in 1970, Gary became the first in his family to attend college. Along with several high school classmates, he enrolled in Wayne State College, in Wayne, Neb. It was at Wayne state that he met the love of his life, and wife, Ellen Marie Buck. By chance, Ellen was the roommate of Gary’s former classmate. The couple never stopped enjoying each other’s company and married on May 5, 1973. Gary and Ellen graduated from Wayne State in 1974. Gary obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry.
The couple moved to Missouri Valley, where Gary could work. His father had worked for the Chicago North-Western Railroad, and during the summers Gary worked on “tie gangs” laying and repairing track. By fall of that year, he was offered a management position as Assistant Roadmaster. Gary spent the next 38 years working for the railroad, living in four states with nine different addresses. He rose to become General Director of Track Maintenance for eight states in the Midwest before retiring in 2012 in Kansas City.
Gary and Ellen had three children, Ryan, Megan and Kyle. He loved playing with the kids, wrestling, playing catch and especially shooting baskets. He was also active in their lives. Gary coached Kyle’s baseball team, as well as Megan’s basketball team. He joined Ryan on a long camping and canoeing trip to the Boundary Waters with the Boy Scouts where he showed his son the Northern Lights. The family often camped for vacation where Gary would eat every well-done or “fried” marshmallow his children deliberately burned.
Gary was a gentle and considerate man. He treated everyone he met with respect and kindness. He was often quiet though it was not for a lack of things to say; he was considerate in expressing his opinions. Having a plan and arriving early were central to his way of life. Gary was never late and was always prepared. Whether you needed a first aid kit, a flashlight, a napkin or a knife, he was ready. But Gary’s preparedness wasn’t confined to the mundane. Gary was a loving father who prepared his three children to face the world with kindness and compassion. He taught them a hard work ethic through his example, rising early and coming home at dinner. While working hard and providing for his family, Gary was a family man, eagerly attending games and activities for his children and grandchildren.
Gary was happiest when he was at home with his family. Gary was famous among the children in his family for his “rocket rides” and had everyone under the age of 10 convinced that chocolate milk came from brown cows. He reveled in the attention he received from children who thought he looked like Santa. Gary was a die-hard Chiefs fan and was thrilled he was able to finally see his Chiefs win three super bowls.
Gary’s retirement began with multiple visits with grandchildren, cruises with the Corvette club, and trips including one to England and France, as well as a month-long tour of the West by Corvette. In between there were also multiple orthopedic surgeries, medical visits and rehab. Retirement didn’t end the way that Gary and Ellen had hoped. Nonetheless, the couple remained a team to deal with the difficulties. Gary would want you to remember and celebrate who he was prior to the challenges he faced after retirement. In fact, he planned his funeral long ago, from Hawaiian shirt, and song selections to margaritas at the reception. Please smile when you remember his good times. Gary would tell you to take the trips, find the time, stress less, and to love your family and friends.
Gary is survived by his wife, Ellen McElderry; three children, Ryan (Jennifer) McElderry, Megan McElderry, and Kyle (Leah) McElderry; grandchildren, Dylan Packard, Ethan McElderry, Audrey Packard, Eva McElderry, Adler McElderry, Crew McElderry, Samuel McElderry, Soren McElderry, and Ellis McElderry; and siblings, Debra McElderry, Jeff (Kari) McElderry, and Susan (Terry) Fountain; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by both parents George and Norma (Hatcher) McElderry, and his in-laws.
All services were held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland 401 Main Street Parkville, MO 64152. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Disability American Veterans Support DAV Today! – Donate Today – Disabled American Veterans (DAV) . Memories of Gary and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland in Parkville, MO.
