Eldon Dixon McKagen

Eldon Dixon McKagen, Jr., 88, of James Island, South Carolina, husband of Shirley Byrd McKagen entered into eternal rest Tuesday, June 18, 2013. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, in Bethany United Methodist Church, 1853 Maybank Hwy. James Island, SC at 11:00 am. Interment, Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Eldon was born February 28, 1925, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, son of Eldon D. McKagen and Lessie Crawford McKagen. He attended Orangeburg Schools and Clemson University. Eldon was a WWII, Army Air Corps Veteran. He was credited with shooting down two Japanese planes and possibly another. Eldon flew 48 combat missions with the 13th Air Corps in the Pacific Theater, from New Guinea to the Philippines and before the invasion of Okinawa. He returned to the USA and was honorably discharged on October 22, 1945. He was a retired Ship Fitter Supervisor at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. and was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife, Eldon is survived by two daughters; Sharon M. Rush (Ronnie) of Johns Island, SC and Donna M.Reynolds (Bill), of Charleston SC; a son, Glenn Eldon McKagen of James Island, SC; nine grandchildren: Ronnie, Julie, Jill, Michael, Steven, Scott, Megan, Christie and Dawn; four great grandchildren; and a sister, Mary McKagen Aichele of Charleston, SC.

Memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, 1853 Maybank Hwy. James Island, SC 29412.