Obituary of Harold Eugene Eller

Harold Eugene Eller passed away peacefully at 94 years old on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death. Born on March 21, 1930, in New York, New York, he was the son of the late Keith Birchard Eller and Thelma Bender Eller as well as brother to the late Keith B. Eller, Jr. Harold is also preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Eileen Smith and son Kenneth Alan Eller whom he joins in eternal peace. He is survived by his adoring sons Doug (Lynne) of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Greg (Ruth) of Westerville, Ohio, and daughter-in-law Kathy (Ken) of Cary, North Carolina. He is also survived by his younger brother Ned Eller of Beckley, West Virgina, 91 years old, who sadly passed away one week later on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in South Carolina.

Other surviving family members include 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Kristina (Tyler) Bowery of Charlotte, NC; Jenny Eller of Westerville, OH; Kimberly (Micah) Mabe and Kenleigh and Noah of Savannah, GA; Mary (Ethan) White and Ella, Elijah and Ari of Zebulon, NC; Braedon Eller of Fort Worth, TX; Kae Ashleigh (Mike) Hutchison of Charleston, SC; Lauren Eller of Denver, Colorado; Kurt (Abagail) Eller of Augusta, GA; and Reese (Maggie) Eller of Houston, TX. Also surviving are many dear friends from the communities in which he lived.

Harold grew up in New York and New Jersey with his mother, Father and 2 brothers which were filled with school, fishing trips to Swartswood Lake and automobile re-building. He then attended the Stevens Institute of Technology in Mechanical Engineering. Upon completion of college, he began engineering work in Philadelphia Pennsylvania where he met and married the love of his life and partner for 66 years, Mary Eileen Smith. After marriage, he joined the US Army for a 2-year stint instructing soldiers in the use of the T-38 Skysweeper 75-mm Antiaircraft gun at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon discharge from the Army, he continued his career as a project mechanical engineer with many instrument designs and US Patents for the Hays Corporation. His career expanded into corporate management and culminated as President of several different manufacturing companies based in Arkansas and Alabama with operations worldwide. His greatest achievements were realized by the unconditional love for his wife, Mary, his 3 sons, his extended family as well as his care for those around him. Everyone he met was deeply affected by his genuine interest and care. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, friends, care-givers at Colonial were all subject to his one-on-one deep conversations which we affectionately referred to as “getting popped”. The result was always a warm connection that was honest and true. Retirement led Harold and Mary to the east coast in Hampstead, NC where they hosted family and friends to their home and countless journeys to the beach, downtown Wilmington, and local golf courses for the span of over 20 years. Harold and Mary’s final chapters were shared with family in Fort Worth, Texas. He will be forever missed by his family and friends