Z.G. Mike McElwee

Mr. Zola G.”Texas Hobo Mike” McElwee, Jr., age 70, of Big Sandy, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at his residence. Mike was born on July 21, 1949 in Harris County Texas to the late Zola G. McElwee, Sr., and Nell Katherine May McElwee. He served two tours in Vietnam in the U.S. Army, where he suffered a near fatal wound, receiving Silver Star and 3 Purple Hearts. After returning home, he tragically lost his wife Dolly, and young daughter in an accident. Needing an escape from this tragic event, he began his journey around the United States on the countries railroads. He became Texas Hobo Mike. He Hobo'd for 14 years until he met his 2nd wife Cate Maloney. After marrying, he settled down on the east coast living in Lancaster PA, Marysville PA, and Buffalo NY, however he always remained a hobo at heart. Mike, who came from a railroad family, loved the railroad tradition. He frequently attended the Hobo Convention in Britt Iowa and ran several times for Hobo King in 2015, 2016. Mike was also an original “Dead Head”, a ranked tournament pool player, a great teller of stories who built friendships across the country. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and daughter. He is survived by his ex-wife and friend, Cate Maloney of Seattle, Wa.,Step son Sean Maloney & wife Courtney, special friends, Dave and Viola Varner of Big Sandy; half-sister, Michelle Meredith and her family of Dardenville, Ar., cousins Jack and Joe May, as well as countless friends and hobo family across the country. A memorial will be held at the annual Hobo Convention in August 2020, in Britt, Iowa.