Written by John and Tom McElligott
James Bruce McElligott (MHS 1963) passed away in El Paso, Texas early this week (08/25/2021). Bruce is the son of Thomas E. McElligott and Vivian L McElligott and was born in El Paso,Texas. Bruce requested no services be done on his behalf. However, soon a Mass will be dedicated to him at All Saints Parish in Knoxville,TN.
Bruce was a very talented, young Midlander and was active in Baseball, Football and Boxing. He became a manager and parts director for several aviation companies in Midland and New Mexico. Bruce started several companies. He moved to Ft Davis,Texas to take care of our Mother who retired from the Post Office in Midland and Big Bend National Park. Mom’s latter job had a whopping 12 letters a day. Bruce was a diligent care taker of our Mom who suffered from AD and eventually had to be moved to Knoxville TN for the last 8 years of her life.
While taking care of Mom, and while still living in El Paso, he and Tom Owned and Operated a Liquor Store just across the street in New Mexico close to the race track where Tom groomed the Jockey business he operated for years. Probably the greatest and best thing in life he did was coach Little League Baseball, in which he was very good and successful. While in Fort Davis, he began working as an Umpire and took Mom to games even though she did not know a ball from a strike. Now talk about a very dramatic umpire… Bruce was it!!!. He was lucky some of the parents did not lynch him. He could argue his decisions in baseball and did the same in life. The latter became his albatross, the same as the rest of us.
Bruce had children who lived in various parts of Texas and they were very interesting and dynamic in most cases. Bruce had 3 children and one adopted son, the youngest. While he was the most active with Bruce who lived in Fort Davis for a while and worked in the oil fields in Midland, all the children had their good points for the most part.
His last visit from John and Tom McElligott was the summer before the Covid Virus become a problem. Fort Davis and that area were well protected according to Bruce. See pictures of all of his family in the unique RIP.
Lets just hope Bruce had enough credits to get into Purgatory or Heaven just as we all do.
Brothers John and Tom
I am very sorry for your loss.
Max Berry (Class of ’59)
May Bruce have enough credits. I have know the McElligotts since around 1959. I worked at terminal and part of my job for West Texas Flying Service was to take and pick up mail from the post office where Mrs. McElligott worked. She was a very sweet lady. I went to school with Bruce and John. I later met Tom when he came into my pool hall, Ali Cat’s Bar and Grill. I’m glad to have known them. RIP Bruce and my condolences to all the McElligotts..David White
Tom and John so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. I grew up with y’all out at Terminal. Many good times in our little town. Bruce was the first boy I ever went steady with. As we called it back in the day. We had silver necklaces. They were half hearts. He wore one and I wore one. We would hold hands on the bus. I think we were in the sixth grade. Good memories!
Sorry I forgot to leave my name. Bekki Maier Welch
John and Tom, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I was a graduate of Class of ‘59 with Tom. Thank you for posting this obituary in honor of Bruce.
John and Tom, it’s really sad to have a loved one pass on, but you will always be lifted in spirit and mood by the happy and good memories and stories of the good life and times they lived. Although I did not know Bruce, I’m sure, him being a McElligott , there are many great stories that can be told from him living a good life. I pray that you and the family will be comforted by these memories.