Hughlan Dale Eller

1935 - 2003

Hughlan Dale Eller, 68, retired, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, in Bedford.

Celebration of Life: 12:30 p.m. Monday in Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Chapel, the Revs. Charles Thornton and Bob Neely officiating. Burial: Emerald Hills Memorial Park, Kennedale. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials: National Kidney Foundation of North Texas, 5429 LBJ Freeway, Suite 630, Dallas 75240.

Hugh was born Jan. 24, 1935, in Fort Worth. He attended school in Kennedale, and graduated from Polytechnic High School. He joined the Texas National Guard, 149th Aviation Company, 49th Armored Division, graduated from Officers Candidate School, Fort Benning, Ga., as a second lieutenant. He graduated from fixed wing aircraft training at Fort Rucker, Ala., and helicopter school, Fort Wolters, as first lieutenant. He served active duty for 10 months at Fort Polk, La., during the Berlin Crisis, and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.

He was employed for 20 years by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas as regional sales manager in Tyler, then as vice president of marketing in Dallas, and later, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Atlanta. He went into private business in 1982, and retired due to health problems in 1992. In 1994, he received a kidney/pancreas transplant at Parkland Memorial Hospital and was blessed with nine years of good health.

Mr. Eller accepted Christ at an early age at Kennedale Baptist Church. He was a member of First Baptist, Euless, and an ordained deacon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvis Guthrie and Ida Fern Eller, and brothers, Alvis Guthrie Jr., Charles, and John Eller.

The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Victor Meltzer, Dr. Tod Heldridge, the nurses of Harris HEB and the transplant physicians and nurses at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas.

Survivors: Wife of 50 years, Shirley Hardin Eller; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Earle Crim of Tyler, grandchildren, Brandon, Katherine, and Stephen of Tyler; brother and sister-in-law, Walt and Nancy Eller of Crowley; brothers-in-law, Sidney and Doris Hardin of Fort Worth, and E.L. and Virginia Wheeler of Hurst; one uncle and one aunt; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.