1944
John
2007
John Walker McKelvey ,II
August 1, 1944 — January 2, 2007
Harlingen:
John Walker McKelvey II, “Johnny”, beloved family member, community leader, and friend, died on January 2, 2007. John’s family has lived in the Valley for three generations and is prominent in business, farming, education, and real estate development. Among their many contributions is the donation of McKelvey Park to the citizens of Harlingen.
John was born in Salida, Colorado on August 1, 1944 where his mother was a “camp follower” of her husband’s 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army until its deployment to Italy. He grew up in Harlingen, participating actively in Harlingen schools, where his mother was a teacher. As a child, he began his commitment to the First United Methodist Church, where years later he chaired the Council on Ministries and served on the Administrative Board and Finance Committee. A 1985-86 Leadership
Harlingen graduate, John provided expertise for a wide range of city and school efforts for many years. A strong supporter of his children’s schools, he was a member of the St. Alban’s Day School Board from 1987-90, serving as its president in 1988-89, and chaired Graduation Celebration for Harlingen High School seniors. John was a member of the Harlingen Rotary Club, as well as the Harlingen Industrial Foundation. He served for many years as a member and president of the board of the Harlingen Performing Arts Theater.
John attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and was a 1969 graduate of the College
of Business at the University of Texas. In his professional career, John was a highly respected Certified Public Accountant, three times receiving the Valley Morning Star’s Reader’s Choice Award as “Best of the Best” in his field for the years 2000, 2001, and 2006. His firm recently initiated an Elder Care Service, which was dear to his heart.
John married his Harlingen High School sweetheart, Judy Ferguson, and together they lived a happy and fulfilling life. He took special pride in their son, Cameron, and daughter, Case, and their spouses, Jessica and Gerald, in later years cherishing his role as
“Poppy” to his adoring grandchildren, Laurel, Landon, and Bethany.
John’s wisdom, his intelligent humor, his love of culture, reading, and gardening, and especially his generous spirit and unwavering devotion to family and friend alike enriched the lives of all who knew him.
John McKelvey is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Judy, of Harlingen; son, Cameron and wife, Jessica, and grandchildren Laurel, age 6, and Landon, age 4; and daughter, Case McKelvey Pyle and son-in-law, Gerald, and granddaughter Bethany, age 2 years, all of Houston; his brothers Paul Clore and wife, Marilyn, and sons Walter and wife, Lisa, and Kenneth; and Michael Clore and wife, Debbie, and children Geoffrey and
Natalie; and brother-in-law, Lamar Smith, and sons Walker and wife Kara and son Parker; Aaron and wife, Maggie, and son, Jackson; and son, Graham, and many devoted cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
John McKelvey was preceded in death by his father, Charles McKelvey; his adopted father, Walter Clore; his mother, Jean Clore; and his sister, Laurie Smith. A memorial service honoring the life of John McKelvey will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Harlingen, with a reception following in the Raimond Christian Center.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Laurie Smith Breast Health Endowment Fund, C/O Valley Baptist Foundation, P. O. Box 2588, Harlingen, Texas, 78551, or to the First United Methodist Church, 321 E. Harrison, Harlingen, Texas, 78550.
John Walker McKelvey II, “Johnny”, beloved family member, community leader, and friend, died on January 2, 2007. John’s family has lived in the Valley for three generations and is prominent in business, farming, education, and real estate development. Among their many contributions is the donation of McKelvey Park to the citizens of Harlingen.
John was born in Salida, Colorado on August 1, 1944 where his mother was a “camp follower” of her husband’s 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army until its deployment to Italy. He grew up in Harlingen, participating actively in Harlingen schools, where his mother was a teacher. As a child, he began his commitment to the First United Methodist Church, where years later he chaired the Council on Ministries and served on the Administrative Board and Finance Committee. A 1985-86 Leadership
Harlingen graduate, John provided expertise for a wide range of city and school efforts for many years. A strong supporter of his children’s schools, he was a member of the St. Alban’s Day School Board from 1987-90, serving as its president in 1988-89, and chaired Graduation Celebration for Harlingen High School seniors. John was a member of the Harlingen Rotary Club, as well as the Harlingen Industrial Foundation. He served for many years as a member and president of the board of the Harlingen Performing Arts Theater.
John attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and was a 1969 graduate of the College
of Business at the University of Texas. In his professional career, John was a highly respected Certified Public Accountant, three times receiving the Valley Morning Star’s Reader’s Choice Award as “Best of the Best” in his field for the years 2000, 2001, and 2006. His firm recently initiated an Elder Care Service, which was dear to his heart.
John married his Harlingen High School sweetheart, Judy Ferguson, and together they lived a happy and fulfilling life. He took special pride in their son, Cameron, and daughter, Case, and their spouses, Jessica and Gerald, in later years cherishing his role as
“Poppy” to his adoring grandchildren, Laurel, Landon, and Bethany.
John’s wisdom, his intelligent humor, his love of culture, reading, and gardening, and especially his generous spirit and unwavering devotion to family and friend alike enriched the lives of all who knew him.
John McKelvey is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Judy, of Harlingen; son, Cameron and wife, Jessica, and grandchildren Laurel, age 6, and Landon, age 4; and daughter, Case McKelvey Pyle and son-in-law, Gerald, and granddaughter Bethany, age 2 years, all of Houston; his brothers Paul Clore and wife, Marilyn, and sons Walter and wife, Lisa, and Kenneth; and Michael Clore and wife, Debbie, and children Geoffrey and
Natalie; and brother-in-law, Lamar Smith, and sons Walker and wife Kara and son Parker; Aaron and wife, Maggie, and son, Jackson; and son, Graham, and many devoted cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
John McKelvey was preceded in death by his father, Charles McKelvey; his adopted father, Walter Clore; his mother, Jean Clore; and his sister, Laurie Smith. A memorial service honoring the life of John McKelvey will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Harlingen, with a reception following in the Raimond Christian Center.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Laurie Smith Breast Health Endowment Fund, C/O Valley Baptist Foundation, P. O. Box 2588, Harlingen, Texas, 78551, or to the First United Methodist Church, 321 E. Harrison, Harlingen, Texas, 78550.
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