Isaac Lee McElrath

Isaac "Lee" McElrath, 87, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on December 1, 2023. He was born on August 27th, 1936, in Conway, Arkansas, to the late George Washington and Dollie Graham McElrath. Lee joined the Navy at 18 years old and was stationed in San Diego, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; and New Orleans, Louisiana. In his four years in the military, Lee served on the USS Shangri-La, where he spent time in the western Pacific. Lee spent most of his career as an auto body technician and retired from Bale Chevrolet. Lee met his loving wife of 68 years, Mary McElrath, when they were in the 6th grade. They were married on June 17, 1955, and later settled back down in their North Little Rock home, where they have lived for the past 61 years.

Lee was preceded in death by both parents, his infant son, Douglas Lee McElrath; his three brothers, Bill Cooper, Melvin Cooper, and George McElrath; and his sister, Mebaline McCaghren. Lee is survived by his wife, Mary McElrath; his brother, Ray and Sandra McElrath; his sister-in-law, Peggy McElrath; his two sons, Scot McElrath and Mark McElrath; and his two grandchildren, Zack McElrath, Kayla and Britt Dobbins.

The family would like to express their gratitude to his caregivers from the VA - Tory, Krista, and Claudia, as well as his caregivers from Arkansas Hospice - Lamonda, Paula, and Polly.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 10:30 am at Smith Sherwood Funeral Home (7700 Hwy 107) with burial following at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Graham, James Decker, Jerry Meadows, Travis McCaghren, Jeff Cooper, and Britt Dobbins.