Elton L. McGehee, of Macungie and South Whitehall Township, PA., passed away on February 17, 2026 at the age of 86.

Born November 27, 1939 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Elton was the son of Harry Monroe and Bonnie Elaine (King) McGehee. Here below, in his own words, part of his life narrative he wrote in 2020:

"I grew up on a small farm in a rural area located near Kalamazoo, Michigan… spending much of my time with my grandmother, Rosa McGehee. A kind and gentle person, she was among the finest women I have known in my lifetime."

Elton attended Edwards Corners School, a one room country school near Marcellus, Michigan and Marcellus High School, where he excelled in athletics. In 1958, he was honored as an Associated Press Michigan Small School All-State football quarterback.

Elton attended Western Michigan University, graduating in 1964 with a BS in Physical Education and Social Sciences. While in college, he participated in ROTC and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served at Fort Carson, Colorado, from 1964 to 1966, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant.

In September 1964, Elton married the love of his life, Patricia "Patty" Carol O'Connor. Together, they shared 61 years of marriage, building a life grounded in love, resilience, and dedication to each other and their family.

Elton's professional life reflected his strong work ethic and leadership. He began his career at U.S. Steel Corporation, followed by Desoto Inc., and later served as Human Resources Director for Air Products. He spent 30 years with Buzzi Unicem USA Inc. and its predecessor companies, ultimately serving as Senior Human Resources Director. He concluded his career as Executive Director of the Cement Employers Association, retiring in December 2019.

Elton lived a full and active life. He and Patty traveled together on his many business trips. Their favorite spots included Jackson Hole, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Elton had a lifelong love of sports. He tried out tennis in the mid 1970s and never looked back, continuing playing for over 40 years! He participated in numerous leagues, earned recognition in USTA competitions, and remained active within the local tennis community. He often said how tennis contributed to his longevity—not just by how physically demanding it was, but more so through the friendships and connections it made for him.  At one point, you could find him playing 3-4 days a week at Sand Island and at Lehigh University, both in Bethlehem, PA. Elton was a huge fan of Michigan football, and he'd often reminisced about listening to games back then on a small radio when he was a young boy.

Elton gave generously of his time through volunteering. Alongside his wife, he volunteered with cat rescues, helping on Saturday mornings with building projects, maintenance and hands on care. Some may say he and Patty had their own rescue at their home, by participating in trap-neuter-return efforts of any stray cats that crossed their paths at their home. His kindness and love for animals ran deep and included both pets and the wildlife.  He was a devoted "Cat Dad" especially with his buddies Charlie, Chester, Zeus, Freddy and Frankie.

Elton volunteered many Friday mornings alongside his daughter, Sheryl, at Goats of Anarchy, a farmed animal rescue in New Jersey. Helping to clean stalls of sheep, alpacas and cows, the physical work reminded him of his childhood—a memory he embraced with both joy and pride. Elton volunteered with the Lehigh University Lewis Tennis Center from 2018 to 2024. He loved making plans with his buddies to meet up there to get a few sets in during the week–a bonus for being a volunteer there.

Elton was a man of many simple pleasures and strong passions. He loved 1950s and country music, especially Toby Keith; a good cold Yuengling Lager; pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream; piping hot homemade chili; a BK junior whopper with extra onions and pickles; Entenmann donut holes; lemonade; and ALL cookies.  He was endlessly curious, following politics, world events, and financial markets, and was a longtime reader of The Wall Street Journal. He enjoyed collecting watches and watching Fox News. Elton was a car guy and nothing stopped him from buying the set of wheels of his many dreams. He was most proud of and doted on his prized 2009 Cadillac CTS. It was in impeccable condition and had a mere 30k miles when he finally (and reluctantly) agreed to sell it last fall. He asked for pictures to be taken of him standing by it before Carvana took it away–his smile stretched from ear to ear.

A skilled and capable man, Elton could build and fix just about anything: a beautiful koi pond with a waterfall and an incredible sunroom renovation were among the many projects, but standout family favorites. He worked in the yard, snowplowed the driveway, fiddled around with tools in the garage and fed wild birds and animals well into his 80s. There seems like there was nothing he could not do. Well, maybe not the laundry.

Above all, Elton was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patty; his doting daughters, Sheryl Petrillo (Angelo) and Sally Costello (Erik); and his cherished grandsons, Aidan and Alec Costello, who were fortunate to have spent so much meaningful time with their Grampy. Elton adored Teebs and LG deeply and affectionately, as they too in return, adored and loved their Grampy.

He is lovingly remembered by Sheryl's stepdaughters (his bonus grandchildren) Gwenn and Chloe Petrillo, Lily Kemler, and great-granddaughter Rose Elizabeth Kemler.

Elton is also survived by his son, Scott McGehee (Andrea) and he held close in his heart his grandchildren, Greenleigh and Scottie.

Elton will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. A man who lived life on his own terms, worked hard, loved deeply, and found joy in both the big and small moments.

His family extends their heartfelt gratitude to his caregiver Judy, for her above and beyond compassionate care, and to the team at SLUHN Home Hospice for their support.

In lieu of flowers, consider donations in memory of Elton to be made to the following: SOAR (Starting Over Animal Rescue)  https://www.startingoveranimalrescue.org/ and Lehigh University Women's and Men's Tennis programs https://rb.gy/r1g5sb

Interment with military honors will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held later this Spring in the Lehigh Valley area. Please send the family an email of your interest at elmcgeheecelebrationoflife2026@gmail.com.