Thomas David Eller

Thomas David Eller, 61, of Abbeville, SC, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2014 in the arms of his loving family. He was born in Decatur, GA in April of 1953 to the Reverend Benjamin Lee Eller, Jr. and the late Frances Tucker Eller. David loved many things in life, but he held a special place in his heart for his family, Abbeville Presbyterian Church, The Abbeville Opera House, Dixie High School, and, of course, his South Carolina Fighting Gamecocks. A modern day renaissance man, David was a self-taught musician, playing the piano, guitar, banjo, and even occasionally the organ at church. He was a fantastic singer, singing everything from the most solemn hymns to one of country's greatest hits. Perhaps most impressive was David's resume as an actor on the stage. Conservatively, David performed in well over 150 plays at The Abbeville Opera House over the last 30 years. He would have been hard pressed to name a favorite role, however he especially loved the role of Arnold in The Boys Next Door. Lastly, Señor Eller was a Spanish teacher and golf coach at Dixie High School. Even though David graduated from Abbeville High School, he was a Dixie Hornet at heart. He is survived by his wife, Lori Eller of the home; his father of Rock Hill, SC; children, Michael Benjamin Eller (Marisa) of Greenville, SC, Justin David Eller (Christie) of Greenwood, SC, Kelsey Elizabeth Eller and Jacob Tucker Eller of Abbeville, SC, brother, Reverend Samuel Barry Eller (Barbara) of Rock Hill, SC, and four grandchildren, Jackson David Eller, Abigail Elise Eller, William Bennett Eller and Carolina Grace Eller. David was truly loved and will be missed by his first wife and mother of his sons, Michael and Justin, Kathy Genevie and her husband Michael and daughter Meg of Abbeville. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to8:00PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Harris Funeral Home. A service to celebrate David's life will be held Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 3:30 pm in the Abbeville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Carol Strickland officiating. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, David would prefer donations be made in his memory to the Abbeville Presbyterian Church Choir Fund, PO Box 733, Abbeville, SC 29620 The Abbeville Opera House Endowment, PO Box 247, Abbeville, SC 29620 or the Dixie High School Foundation, PO Box 445, Due West, SC 29639 The family is at the home. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES is assisting the Eller family.