Eldon Franklin Gragert – February 1, 2017

gragert, eldon obit picEldon Franklin Gragert, 61, of Canyon, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Amarillo.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Brandon Moore, Next Step Pastor, Family Life Church, officiating.  Burial will be private.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

He was born Feb. 8, 1955, in Lyons, Kan., to Elmer and Rosemary (Michael) Gragert. He grew up across the Midwest, but called Montana home. In 1973, he graduated from Chester High School in Chester, Mont., and remained in touch with several of his classmates. He enjoyed being outdoors and hunting, especially with his four older brothers.

He married Audry Snook on May 1, 1981, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hooker, Okla. They made their home just outside Adams, Okla. Eldon enjoyed living in the country, occasionally raising pigs or cows. He had worked in the gas industry, including for Flint and Enron. He later earned associate’s degree from Amarillo College. He then formed his own business, Specialty Computer, in which he did contract computer services for various school districts in the Oklahoma Panhandle. He later went became a computer tech full-time for Hooker Independent School District. He also owned SoundWaves Productions, a DJ service that provided entertainment for school dances, weddings and parties. He enjoyed making friends in the DJ community around the world, often attending DJ conventions in Las Vegas, Nev.

Eldon and Audry had two children, Amanda and Ojay, to whom he was a wonderful, fun father. He opened his home and welcomed the friends of his children, as well as foreign exchange students. He was a “dad” to many. He retired in 2010, the following year moving to Canyon, where he volunteered for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. He then proudly took on a new role – PaPa to his granddaughter, Sydney. They spent countless hours listening to albums, working in the shop and hanging out.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Audry; his parents; and his brothers, Charley, Mike and Don Gragert.

Survivors include daughter Amanda Rogers and husband, John, son Ojay Gragert and granddaughter Sydney Rogers, all of Canyon; a brother, Bob Gragert, and his wife Marilyn, of Tillamook, Ore.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Irene Biggs of Allen, Okla., Sharon Gragert of Billings, Mont., Karen Gragert of Tillamook, Ore., Edward and Sheila York of Amarillo and Jerry and Donna Snook of Shady Point, Okla.; and numerous nieces and nephews, to whom he was known as the “young, cool uncle.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the BSA Hospice of the Southwest, 6600 Killgore Dr #110, Amarillo, TX 79106.

0 Replies to “Eldon Franklin Gragert – February 1, 2017”

  1. How do you express loss of a dear friend in a few words? Eldon was a remarkable… man, father, husband, friend… we were blessed and he will be missed. Memories are our treasure we can find comfort and peace.❤

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