Eldon was born and raised in Missouri, where he received a BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering with Nuclear Option from the University of Missouri – Rolla. He later did graduate work in Physical Metallurgy at The Ohio State University.

A brief career in the aerospace industry with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (now Boeing) in St. Louis, Missouri, was followed by a tour of duty with the United States Air Force.

Eldon was assigned to the Air Force Materials Laboratory at Wright – Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, where he performed materials research on high-temperature metals for use in jet engines.

He left the Air Force in December 1971, with a rank of captain, to start the Indianapolis franchise for Environment Control, a nationwide janitorial service. He led that business for 26 years.

Eldon was the Area Director of CBMC Indiana for 26 years, retiring in 2024.  He now has Emeritus status. Eldon and his wife, Sandy, have been married for 54 years, are the parents of five children, and have six grandchildren.