Feb. 20, 1933 – Sept. 24, 2012
Franklin Delano McElwain, 79, of Sweet Home died Sept. 24, 2012 at his home.
He was born Feb. 20, 1933 in Richwood, W.V. to “Mac” Chilton C. and Julia Mae (Smarr) McElwain.
He lived in West Virginia as a child, until November 1942 when the family moved to Vanport. The next year they moved to Middlefield, Ohio and lived there until returning to Sweet Home in October 1946.
He attended Sweet Home High School until March 1950 when he began working for Oregon Plywood in Sweet Home until December 1951. He entered the United States Navy in January 1952. Mr. McElwain served in the Navy until his retirement on Oct. 1, 1981. He was a chief machinist’s mate and received numerous medals and awards during his lifelong Navy career.
Upon retiring, he returned to Sweet Home to care for his parents. He married Deborah Karr in 1988, his first marriage, at the age of 55. He became Dad and Grandpa to a large family, with whom he enjoyed spending much of his time.
Mr. McElwain was wagon master for the Santiam Sams RV Club for a few years and really enjoyed it. He faithfully collected pop can tabs for kidney dialysis, and collected newspapers and old magazines from various businesses around town to help earn money for Santiam Sams. He enjoyed traveling and camping with the Santiam Sams, spending time with his family, watching sports on television, and helping family and friends with mechanical needs on their cars or anything with an engine … he could fix it. He attended Community Chapel for many years.
Mr. McElwain is survived by step-son John and and daughter-in-law Carolyn Karr of Sweet Home; sister Edith Dobson and brother-in-law Wayne of Mount Nebo, W.V.; brother Joe and sister-in-law Ruby McElwain of Porterville, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Deborah Karr McElwain; brother Edgar McElwain; sister Eleanor Harrison; half-brother William Rose; and his parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Community Chapel, 42250 Ames Creek Drive in Sweet Home.
Contributions may be made in Mr. McElwain’s name to Santiam Sams RV Club.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.