The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Fred Lee Eldridge, Jr., 82, of Orange, passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, at The Meadows in Orange. Graveside Service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Officiating will be Deacon Melvin Payne, the Rev. Randy Branch and his granddaughter, Amy Walker. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Bastrop, LA. on Dec. 17, 1930, Fred was the son of Fred Lee Eldridge, Sr. and Alma Rose Tucker Eldridge. He was very proud of his service to his country during the Korean War and was a member in longstanding with the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He retired from Presbyterian Children's Home in Farmington, MO., after many years of service. Fred was an avid turkey hunter and a supporter of LSU football.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Euvera Perry Eldridge.

He leaves behind two brothers, John Eldridge (Kathy) of Boston, MA, and Willie Eldridge (Pat) of Inverness FL; daughter, Donna Zurzolo, of Branson, MO; two step-daughters, Cheryl Stalnaker (Robert) of Orange and Melissa Forsythe of St. Louis MO; and one step-son, Randall Sharpton of Beaumont. Fred is also survived by his 11 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Robert Stalnaker, Jr., Kristen Moon, Jeff Walker, Justin Forsythe, Robert Stalnaker, Sr. and Anthony Keppley. Honorary Pallbearers will be his 27 great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to Kristi and her staff at Golden Years Assisted Living in Orange, and to Wade with Odessey Hospice for their excellent loving care over the past several years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 401 N. 37th St, Orange, Texas 77630.