WILMINGTON — John “Jack” O’Connor McElroy, 78, of Supply, North Carolina, formerly of Milford, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center in Bolivia, North Carolina.
Born on November 24, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, Jack was a lifelong learner, a dedicated professional, a man of deep faith, and someone who never lost his sense of humor.
Jack attended St. Michael’s Elementary School and Brother Rice High School before graduating from the University of Detroit with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After passing the CPA exam, he began his career with Plante Moran, where he worked as an auditor and management consultant. He later served as Chief Financial Officer of Michigan CAT, a Caterpillar equipment dealership. Throughout his career, Jack served on numerous boards in a variety of leadership roles, bringing his accounting expertise and practical wisdom to every organization he served.
Jack retired from his professional career in 2002, but retirement never meant slowing down. His love of accounting and his commitment to serving others continued throughout his life. He served as treasurer for St. George’s Episcopal Church in Milford, Michigan, and St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Shallotte, North Carolina. He served on neighborhood finance committees in both Milford and Supply, as well as the Stewardship Committee at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington. He also served as an auditor for the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, completing audits for churches throughout the diocese. True to form, Jack was diligently working to finish an audit the very night before he was taken to the hospital.
Jack was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington, where his faith and service remained an important part of his life.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Kathy (Anderson) McElroy; his daughter, Meaghan McElroy Thomas (Greg); his son, Tyler John “TJ” McElroy (Becky); and his three grandchildren, Thomas, Amelia and Ben. He is also survived by his sister, Kathleen Schultz, and eight nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty McElroy; his brothers, Jim and Tim McElroy; and two nieces.
Outside of work and church, Jack enjoyed a full and active life. He loved fishing, golf, canoeing, and biking, especially the bike rides he shared with Kathy in their earlier years. He enjoyed reading and science-fiction movies, making people laugh with his jokes, and, naturally, creating spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel. He was also proud to be the president of his beer club and enjoyed keeping up with current events and politics.
Jack will be remembered for his sharp mind, generous spirit, dry sense of humor, devotion to his family, and willingness to lend his time and talents to the people and organizations he cared about. He leaves behind a lifetime of service, countless spreadsheets, plenty of stories and jokes, and a family and community who will miss him dearly.
A memorial service celebrating Jack’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
