Donald (Bo) Wayne Elrod, 86, of Comanche, Texas, ascended to his Heavenly home on Monday, May 29, 2023. Bo was born in Roscoe, Texas, on May 26, 1937, the only son of J.C. and Bessie Carey Elrod. After the family moved to Comanche, he grew up around the Board Church and
Sweetwater Creek Communities in Comanche County, Texas. He graduated from Comanche High School in 1955 and was a three-time varsity letter winner in football for the Indians. He was a team member of the 1954 Indian football team that reached the Texas state semi-final game, with a record of 12-1.
In 1958 he married Marilyn Annora Wilson at First Baptist Church in Blanket, Texas, setting in motion a glorious 65-year marriage. Together, they had a daughter and a son.
SP5 Donald W. Elrod served 7 years 5 months and 6 days in the military. He began his military life serving in the Texas National Guard but that changed when his unit was called up to Active Duty for approximately 10 months during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was assigned to the 980th Engineer Battalion (Const) VIII US Army Corps.
Bo retired in 2000 from Moorman’s Mfg. Company (ADM) after a 23-year career as the sales director. He loved the game of baseball, but even more so, he loved coaching Comanche’s youth and teaching them the art of baseball for over 30 years. Bo served in various roles, one of them being president of the Comanche County Youth Council. He made sure that he gave back to his community by serving on various local boards, serving as a volunteer firefighter, and being elected to various other leadership councils. He served as president of the Comanche Jaycees in 1971 and was awarded the Outstanding President Award. Bo was on the Comanche Chamber of Commerce Board, a member on the Comanche City Council, and elected to serve many years on the Comanche ISD Schoolboard. He was involved in some way in just about every aspect of the local community. Bo was the proudest of his membership in East Side Baptist Church and served as a deacon for many years. He started and led East Side’s Royal Ambassadors program, member of the church choir, and gladly performed his duty as a servant to his Lord and Savior by taking on other roles when he felt led within the church.
His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the light of his life. He was always delighted to see them and spend as much time as possible with them. Bo would go out of his way to make sure all his family and friends knew how much he loved them and how much they meant to him. He was the kindest soul and his light and joy shined bright every day of his life.
Bo is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn, of Comanche; daughter, Donna DeBusk, of Comanche; son, Chad Elrod and wife Rachel, of Arlington, TX; daughter, Kim Swingle and husband Tommy, of Brownwood; sister, Jeannie Feist and husband Donald, of Comanche. His grandchildren, who knew him as “Poppee” and “Poppee Bo” are granddaughter Nikki DeBusk and fiancé David Cunningham; grandson, Jarret DeBusk and wife Ashley; granddaughter Adisyn Elrod; and granddaughter Aubry Elrod; step-grandson Ethan Jones; granddaughter, Heather Bondallian and husband Donn; granddaughter, Delese Noble and husband Josh. Bo is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, and former baseball players.
He is preceded in death by his mother Bessie Cary Elrod and father J.C. Elrod, of Comanche; and sister Joyce Pylant, of Comanche.
A celebration of life service will be held at East Side Baptist Church on Monday, June 5, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Steven Schulte presiding. The Elrod family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. before Bo’s celebration of life service begins at East Side. Arrangements are being handled by Heartland Funeral Home in Comanche.
The Elrod family would like to express their deepest appreciation to David Twiford, Director of Heartland Funeral Home, who hired Bo to work as a greeter for the funeral home after he retired from Moorman’s Mfg. Company (ADM).
David was a great friend to Bo and the Elrod family is grateful for his friendship, kindness, and guidance through this most difficult time.