Eller, Arthur Laxton
On October 21, 2024, just a few weeks shy of his 91st birthday, Arthur Laxton “Ike” Eller passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
Ike was born on November 5, 1933, in Chilhowie, VA to the late Arthur Laxton Eller Sr. and Evelyn Britton Eller. He was middle brother to June James and Edward Eller. Both the Eller and Britton families were large families, and Ike, June, and Ed had 42 first cousins.
Ike graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1955 with a B.S. in Animal Husbandry. He went on to work as Assistant County Agent in Tazewell County and the next year as County Agent in Russell County. Ike met Carolyn while working there, and in the fall of 1957, he joined a Bristol Reserve Unit and spent 6 months active duty. In 1960, Ike received a Master’s Degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics from VPI, and in 1972 was awarded a PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Dr. Ike Eller provided exceptional leadership for the livestock industry for 45 years. He served Virginia Tech as Extension Animal Scientist and Project Leader. He led the development of beef cattle performance programs in Virginia and nationally. His international cattle work took him to Europe, South America, and Africa. Among many recognitions are the American Society of Animal Science National Extension Award and the Progressive Farmer’s Man of the Year in Service to Virginia Agriculture Award.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn and children Amy Eller Saunders (Jim), Evelyn Eller Haycocks (Gavin), John Leonard Eller, and Karen Eller Buddington (Rich). Grandchildren include James (Megan), Andrew (Leighanne), Phillip, Jacob, and Nathan Saunders, Casey Schurtz (Andy), Anna, and Cullen Haycocks, Connor (Kayla) Eller, and Spencer and Eller Buddington. Great grandchildren Tripp and Tatum Saunders, Eller Saunders, and Lainey Eller have been a blessing to Ike and Carolyn.
Ike was a member of the Church on Main, formerly Blacksburg Baptist Church, and served as deacon and Sunday School Director and teacher, an avid Hokies sports fan, and an active Rotarian. He loved people, the camaraderie of many good friends from all walks of life, telling a good joke or recounting a story, reading, a competitive bridge or golf game, and driving through the countryside with Carolyn.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, October 27, at 2:00 pm at the Inn at Virginia Tech, 901 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, 24061. There will be a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider a donation to the Dr. Arthur L. Eller, Jr., Scholarship, which supports students majoring in Animal Science at Virginia Tech. Please make checks payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation and include Eller Scholarship – 884244 on the memo line. Gifts may be mailed to: Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., Gift Accounting 0336, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061
At Ike’s request his body has been donated to medical research. Therefore there will be no viewing of the body. Arrangements are with McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg.
