David W. McElory

David W. McElory

September 25, 2021

David W. McElroy peacefully joined his family in heaven on September 25, 2021. Shortly after birth, he was welcomed by his parents, the Reverend and Mrs. William Frank McElroy Jr. He adored his parents and traveled with them to their missionary work in the Belgian Congo, Africa. He excelled in school and made lasting friendships.

Upon returning to the U.S., David was selected valedictorian of his high school class, earned a B.S.in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin and a B.A. in Mathematics from Austin College in Sherman Texas. In June of 1969 he went to work for Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburg, Pa. He continued his graduate studies while working fulltime at the Westinghouse Research Center receiving his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon.

David remained in the electrical manufacturing industry with Westinghouse Electric as District, Design and Development Engineer. David was then selected to serve in the President's Executive Exchange Program working with the U.S. Department of Commerce for a year. With Asea Brown Baveri (ABB) Power T&D Company, he served as General Manager in four different divisions, later as V.P. and General Manager of High Voltage Switchgear Division, and as Executive Vice President High Voltage Switchgear Products & Systems. At ABB Incorporated, he served as President and U.S. Local Division Manager of the Power Technologies Division until his retirement in 2002 in Wytheville, Va.

David continued as an executive management consultant for many companies throughout his retirement noting that he would take the project only if he could make a value-added contribution. Many friends have described David as the smartest man they had ever met, while others say that he wasn't a boss, he was a leader.

David enjoyed entertaining friends, traveling around the world and gardening. He always had a good story waiting to tell, a sparkling smile and a distinctive laugh that made everyone laugh. David developed a firm faith in our Lord at an early age and continued to worship Him no matter where he lived or traveled. He is survived by his wife, Ida McElroy of Wytheville, Va.

A memorial service will be held at the Wytheville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Wytheville Presbyterian Church or the David W. McElroy Scholarship Fund at Wytheville Community College Educational Fund.