Patricia Ann 'Pam' McElroy

With heavy hearts and much love, friends and family announce the passing of Patricia Ann McElroy “Pam” on August 5, 2025.

Pam was born in Norman, Oklahoma on August 11, 1950, to Buel and Elizabeth McElroy. She grew up in Stillwater and spent most of her childhood at the college she loved, Oklahoma State University (OSU), because both her parents worked at the university. Additionally, her grandfather, Dr. Clarence H. McElroy, served as the first dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine until 1953 and the McElroy Hall on the campus is named in respect for him. Since 1954, OSU has annually awarded a veterinary student with the Dean Clarence H. McElroy Award, the most prestigious honor an OSU graduate of veterinary medicine can achieve. Pam often traveled to her alma mater to present the scholarship in place of her grandfather.

Pam received her Bachelor’s Degree from OSU and then moved to Louisiana to teach students with disabilities in the Jefferson Parish School System. After moving to Baton Rouge, she earned advanced degrees at LSU. While working for Livingston Parish School System, LA created a new certification for educators that tested students for special education services. This new certification was called an educational diagnostician. Patricia served in this role for 18 years. Her colleagues at Livingston remember her as a leading force in the creation of this certification to match that of a school psychologist. This professional group is now nationally recognized. During her last 12 years of her 40 year career, she worked at the Louisiana Department of Education as the State Supervisor of Educational Diagnostic Services.

She earned many awards during her career as an educational diagnostician which included the recipient of the CEC/CEDS National Member of the Year, LEDA President’s Award, and LA Educational Diagnostician of the Year. After retiring and being dedicated to serving Louisiana’s children, she continued to work at the Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana until her passing.

Pam was very proud of her Native American Heritage and was a citizen of the Muscogee Nation of the Creek Indians. She will be buried next to her parents in the Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

There will be a celebration of her life on Sunday, September 28 at the Fairwood Branch Library -Main Meeting Room, 12910 Old Hammond Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 at 3:00pm. All family and friends are invited.