Fred Lee Eldridge, Jr., 82, of Orange passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013, at The Meadows in Orange.
Graveside Service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 18, 2013, at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Officiating will be Deacon Melvin Payne, Reverend 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, Louisiana on December 17th, 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, Missouri 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 2 brothers, John Eldridge Kathy of Boston, Massachusetts, and Willie Eldridge Pat of Inverness Florida; daughter, Donna Zurzolo, of Branson, Missouri; 2 step-daughters, Cheryl Stalnaker Robert of Orange and Melissa Forsythe of St. Louis Missouri; 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.