John L. Eley, Jr., died Nov. 24, 2004, at Depaul Hospital of complications from an earlier stroke. Born July 15, 1921, to his parents John L. Eley, Sr. and Vera Gay Eley in Windsor, VA. He served in the Navy during World War II aboard the destroyer USS Blakeley and then attended the College of William and Mary in Norfolk (predecessor to Old Dominion University). John was active in his community as a member and president of the Norfolk Jaycees and over 30 years as a member of the Norfolk Rotary Club. He was also a longtime board member of the Tidewater Council of the Boy Scouts and received their Silver Beaver Award for his tireless service. He also was a long term member of the "Norfolk Monday Morning Group" which was an informal group of business leaders that met to discuss current business and political events. He retired as Director of Financial Services of Sentara in 1987 after 20 years of service. He previously worked as Treasurer of Robertson Chemical Company which was later purchased by W. R. Grace and Company. He was member of the Bayview United Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Blanche Wessells Eley; his sister, Emma Ruth DuBose of St. Louis, MO; his brother, William G. Eley and wife, Thelma Eley of Charlottesville, VA; his children, Barbara Eley Parker and husband, William I. Parker of Richmond, VA; John Letcher Eley III and wife, Pamela T. Eley of Virginia Beach, VA; Gay Wessells Eley (deceased); Walter Randolph Eley of Chesapeake, VA; and a granddaughter, Erica Rebecca Eley, of Chesapeake, VA. There will be a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, VA with a reception to follow at Bayview United Church of Christ, 1051 E. Bayview Blvd., Norfolk, VA. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1032 Heatherwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Obituary, Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home.