Ronald McElhaney

Ronald John McElhaney, age 81, of Knoxville, passed away on Dec. 28 after living with Alzheimer’s for eight years.

Mr. McElhaney was born on Dec. 23, 1943, in Oakland, Calif., and graduated from San Leandro High School, class of 1961. He attended the University of California-Berkeley and was in the class of 1966. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy prior to moving to Oak Ridge in 1968.

Mr. McElhaney worked for the U.S. Department of Energy at the Y-12 plant as a chemist for 31 years. He was athletic and enjoyed playing soccer, running, doing triathlons, and his first love: tennis. He was an avid reader with interests such as history, religion, astronomy, and travel. Additionally, he was a licensed pilot and a lover of music and dancing. He started the AYSO soccer program in the Cedar Bluff community and was a former officer of the Knoxville Track Club.

Mr. McElhaney was a devoted Catholic who was a founding member of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut and longtime parishioner of All Saints in the Cedar Bluff community.

Mr. McElhaney is survived by his two sons, Brian (Sandy) and Brent (Jody); five grandchildren, Paige (Oldham) McPeak, Gabriel, Ashlyn, Isabelle, and Kai McElhaney; longtime friend, Donna Terzak; older brother, Leland Paul (Terry), with nieces and nephews, Bill, Tara, Paul-Thomas, Adam, and Ashley McElhaney.

He is preceded in death by his father, Paul John, and mother, Clara Caroline (Aruajo-Pacheco) McElhaney. A celebration of life remembrance service was held for family and friends at All Saints Church on Jan. 18.

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