Casper, Wyoming
Elroy C. Drury
Funeral services for Elroy C. Drury of Casper will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Friday April 7, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. There will be a rosary held at newcomers Funeral Home on Thursday evening and 7:30 p.m. He died at his home on April 3, 2006 with loved ones at his side.
He was born August 30, 1925 in Dickinson, North Dakota, son of Cyril Drury and Edna (Burwick) Drury. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August of 1943. He served in WWII and was a plank owner in the U.S.S. Buckingham. While serving his country, he was among the first group of U.S. military to witness the devastation of Nagasaki after the detonation of the atomic bomb. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946. After the war, he opened Don-El's Drive Inn with his brother, sister and mother. He was educated in Dickinson and received his bachelors degree from Dickinson State Teachers College. He taught high school in Watford City and Regent, North Dakota. In 1950 he married Florence (Barth) Drury in Dickinson. He later moved his family Billings and then settled in Casper where they raised their family. He worked for Tucker's Shoes and Gene's Menswear before opening his own store, Mr. D's Shoes. He later worked for Harry Yesness, Bailey School Supply and Stephenson School Supply before retiring and moving to Sun City, AZ. In 2000 Elroy and Florence celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Florence passed away in 2001 and he moved back to Casper to be with family.
He was a devoted family man. In addition to membership in the Elks and Knights of Columbus, he was charter member of Saint Patrick's Church. He also served as a Boy Scout Leader. His hobbies included wine making, gardening, stained glass and woodworking. He had a mischievous sense of humor, was an avid storyteller and was very generous with his time and energy.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, his brother Michael and his sister Delores. He is survived by his children Craig and his wife Mary of Laramie, Deede McKenree and her husband Jim of Casper, Mark and his wife Debbie of Casper and Paul of Casper. His sister Lea Kitchen and her husband Howard of Dickinson, ND, and his brother Don Drury and his wife Elizabeth of Littleton, CO. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kendra, Luke and his wife Linda, Aaron, Alicia and Janelle Drury; Michael Paine and his wife Kim and Jennifer Paine, Jim and Matt McKendree, Aja and Auburn Drury, and one great-granddaughter Ashleigh. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Central Wyoming Hospice.