Eldon M

In Memory


Eldon McCabe September 16, 1947 - October 15, 2009

Katherine Whipple-McCabe, Eldon McCabe, Carol McCabe-Dahozy

I am soooo sorry to read this sad news. Eldon graduated before I even attended WR. In most cases, and anywhere except Window Rock, I would not even know his name. But, I do know Eldon - because the annual reunions in Phoenix include all graduating classes. Over the past several years, I came to know Eldon well, and I enjoyed every minute of his company. I was honored to know him, and to call him my friend. What a good man he was, young at heart, and with a great sense of humor. Please extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family. It is a true loss for all who knew him.

Sincerely,

Dave Radcliffe
WRHS Class of '73

Henry, Carol,

Like everyone else I was totally shocked and so saddened to hear of Eldon's passing. My deepest condolences to you both. As you well know, Eldon and all the McCabe's were such a major part of our lives growing up in Window Rock and beyond. We established our own little neighborhood up on Tribal Hill Drive as next door neighbors. McCabe's and Nelson's in the middle, Speicher's/Robertson's on one side, Coopers on the other side, the LaFave's just down the hill and the Medlock's just down around the corner. We all knew what each other was doing all the time and we did everything together. Some of my fondest memories of Eldon was riding on the back of that Cushman Motor Scooter of his which I'm sure led to my love of motorcycles today. Another was at a Boy Scouts Camp. Eldon and I teamed up and won the "water boiling" contest. I still have my first place ribbon we won somewhere. 4-H, parties at the Rec Hall, school, so many fond memories I could go on and on.

God bless you both and may Eldon rest in peace. I will miss him.

Larry Nelson
WRHS Class of 1966

Henry and Carol,

I am so sorry to hear of Eldon's passing. He was always very kind and will be missed.

Please know that I will keep you in thought and prayer during this sad, sad time.

God speed, Eldon.

We will meet again at a reunion, albeit another place. Watch over us.

Evelyn Herzog
WRHS Class of 1967

What a shock I got when I opened my email this morning. I have a lot of fond memories of him from high school. Eldon will be missed dearly. My sincere condolences to his family.

Eileen Kyselka-Scales
WRHS Class of 1965

I am also so very very sorry to hear about Eldon. I have always felt great affection for him. He did have a great sense of humor and was always friendly and warm. I was just there in Window Rock in July and I sure wish we had found him and visited with him then. Can we mail a card to the family?

Surprised and saddened,
Dorothy Mineer Hailey
WRHS Class of 1963

Carol, Henry & Eldon's kids,

Eldon will be sorely missed and not only was a classmate, but a friend. It is a great loss to our class. I remember a lot of stories and experiences with Eldon in High School and hold fond memories of a truly wonderful person he was.

I too had an abdominal aortic aneurysm about 3 years ago that was discovered incidentally during an X-ray of my kidney. The Heart Institute in Phoenix fixed it, but it certainly makes a person question their mortality. I am only sorry that Eldon's wasn't discovered in time.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May he rest in peace. May you only dwell on the wonderful memories of his life.

Carol (Eddy) Nelson
Class of 1965

Henry and Carol,

I was deeply saddened to hear of Eldon’s passing. I can vividly remember when I was in the seventh grade that Eldon made me feel very special by paying attention to a Junior High kid. He was always so friendly and treated me with respect. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers.

Love,

Sharon Ashcroft Walter
WRHS Class of 1968

I met Eldon in 1957 when we moved to the Reservation. We were in my Mom's 5th grade class at the Episcopal Mission. I don't remember much about him that year.

I think the first real memories involve being in band together, beginning in the 6th grade. Throughout the years we shared many other school activities and trips, with Speech and Drama probably being the absolute greatest experience. Although we worked hard and pushed the bounds of our abilities, we also had many laughs and wonderful experiences. As was often the case, Window Rock was a little fish in the big pond. However, I think that made us stronger and brought us all together.

Our class graduated with 99 people and Eldon's Dad spoke at our graduation. I feel sure that we all remember that night at the Field House. The choir sang, You'll Never Walk Alone", from Carousel which we had seen together "in the round" in Phoenix on one of our speech trips. I sent this picture to Eldon some time ago when I found it among my things and I know he treasured it.

One of the unique things about the Class of 1965 and our school, was that we volunteered as needed and rose to the occasion. We were a united team and Eldon was most definitely a part of that. Perhaps that is the greatest lesson we learned from our years at WRHS.

I know that Eldon had a huge appreciation for our teachers and what was given to us and he was especially close to my Mother. She, too, would be very sad by his passing.

I have seen Eldon a few times since graduation at the various reunions and we spoke often of our times together and what they meant to us. Our class is still close and any loss cuts deeply. I truly find it hard to believe that he is gone and am reminded again how precious life is and how important our WRHS relationships are.

I send love and prayers to the family of Eldon McCabe on the day he is laid to rest, October 20, 2009.

Nancy Martin Rikel
WRHS Class of 1965

Maurice McCabe, School Board Chairman, Alyce Turnbull, Salutatorian

I still have not gotten over the news about my buddy, Eldon. I always knew when it was snowing on the Rez or he was bored as I would receive a text message on my cell phone at work. We would exchange messages for awhile and then move on. I always looked forward to seeing him at the reunions. They won't be same without him. My heart goes out to his family for their unexpected loss. Please let them know we have lots of great memories of Eldon.

Christine Pitts-McDonald
WRHS Class of 1965

Carol, Henry and Eldon's children,

Eldon's life is celebrated today at Rehoboth Mission east of Gallup, a place we have all passed by many times traveling to and from ABQ.... my thoughts are reflecting on him just now, they are thoughts that make me smile inside. I remember his energy, and playful pranks. I remember his seriousness when task focused, and I remember his ability to contribute to the situation where ever we were....he was not one to sit idly by he was an instigator not a spectator, he was someone who counted positively in my growing up years, and someone I was privileged to count as a friend.

Jim Medlock
WRHS Class of 1966

Carol & Henry,

I remember Eldon as an athlete, teammate & friend and we played baseball with the Window Rock "Red Sox", Window Rock "Reds", and Window Rock High School "Scouts" and I have fond memories of the competition, camaraderie and playing all sports including football, basketball, baseball and track at WRHS.

We share your sorrow and grief and we remember him with good memories. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Leonard Foster
WRHS "Scouts" Class of 1967

Carol and Hank,

I am so sorry to hear of your lost. It is so hard when we lose someone we love so dearly. My prayers go out to the both of you and your brother, Eldon's family. Much blessings!

Melinda L. Anderson-West
WRHS Class of 1972

Hank and Carol,

My deepest sympathy to your family and especially to Eldon's family. Here's a hug to you and a prayer to your family during this time of sorrow. We will remember Eldon fondly. We know he is in very good Hands.

Gloria A. Hale
WRHS Class of 1968

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT ADD MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ELDON MCCABE.

WHILE ELDON WAS NOT IN ANY OF MY CLASSES IN SCHOOL, I GOT TO KNOW HIM QUITE WELL AS A SPONSOR WITH MAUNELLE MARTIN ON THE SPEECH AND DRAMATICS FIELD TRIPS.

HE WAS A DOMINANT PERSON, HAD LOTS OF IDEAS AND ENJOYED HAVING FUN. I FEEL MUCH WISER AND HAPPIER FOR HAVING KNOWN HIM. AT ALL TIMES, HE WAS A GENTLEMAN AND A REAL CREDIT TO HIS FAMILY.

I LAST VISITED WITH HIM AT THE REUNION HELD AT PAT MCNARY'S HOME. HE WAS THE WARM AND FRIENDLY PERSON I HAD COME TO RESPECT MANY YEARS BEFORE.

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY.

GRIFFITH RAMEY
WINDOW ROCK TEACHER, 1962-67

Hank I'm sorry to see you and Carol have lost your brother. Though he was already graduated when I arrived at WRHS, knowing you two I know he was a super good person. My prayers are with you and his family.

C. Lucas
1967-70 teacher/coach

It has taken me awhile to respond to the passing of Eldon. I became a grandmother again the same day we heard the news. So, my joy was competing with my shock and sadness. I found myself not being able to really tell my family who Eldon was. They knew that I was taken back by the news, but I became tongue-tied after telling them he was a classmate from high school.

Finally, I know why I was speechless. Eldon was our high school rock star. He was bigger than life. If you were lucky enough to be in the path of Eldon's hello, kidding, or even poking fun, you were "cool" regardless of your otherwise lowly status! His gift to us was being generous with his attention and kindness to everyone, and that made everyone special who knew him.

His untimely passing leaves us trying to catch our breath and wrap our heads and hearts around this news. The void left is just as big as he was. He was our rock star and we were all cool because we knew him!

Lynn Crow Cole
WRHS Class of 1966

Hello Carol and Henry,

My sincere condolences and sympathy to you both and your family in the passing of your brother Eldon. At this sorrowful time, I send my prayers that healing and comfort may rest in your hearts with the fond memories of his life.

In Nov 2008, we lost our eldest brother, Rich Hubbell and its been difficult to fill the absence of a loved one. With our faith in God and love of family and friends, we have strength and courage to face each new day.

Best Regards,
Sarah Hubbell
WRHS Class of 1969
Window Rock Az

Thank you Sarah for your thoughtfulness and kindness.

Hank McCabe

I scanned the program from Eldon's Funeral so you can share with others.

I had a long talk with Mike "Kikey" Nelson. He wished he could have come but it's such a long way to travel. He did not know he was selected to be an honorary pallbearer. Perhaps not all were notified; and it is such an honor and love from the family for his friends.

I love you all and the beautiful words you expressed in memory of him. Hope to see you all in April at the reunion, God willing.

Georgia A. Ashley
WRHS Class of 1966

Georgia,

Thank you for sending this funeral program; seeing his picture made me cry...seeing the "honorary pall bears" was so sweet and loving...just like he was and his family; he will be missed in so many ways...the sun came out today in Portland so I think it is Eldon smiling down on us....blessings to everyone in our time of sorrow.

Love,
Charlotte Goodluck
WRHS Class of 1965

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading all the messages sent to us regarding our brother Eldon. I would like to thank all of you for the warm and caring thoughts sent our way. Eldon touched many lives with his friendship, laughter and eagerness to lend a helping hand. Your reflections of him warmed my heart and are truly appreciated. We will always love him and will miss him but know that his spirit is above us soaring with the eagles. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

Sincerely,
Carol McCabe Dahozy
WRHS Class of 1972