Edward George Elliott Jr.

Edward George Elliott Jr. of Jefferson City, passed from this earthly life in grace and dignity on Good Friday, March 29, 2013, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, surrounded by loving family members. Ed is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Todd Elliott of the home; children Carol Ann Elliott and husband Joseph Howell of Columbia; Dr. James Todd Elliott of Columbia; Elizabeth Chaffin Elliott and husband Curt Stegeman of Jefferson City; and grandson Robert Elliott Chan of Columbia. Ed was born September 16, 1925, in Jefferson City, Missouri, the son of Edward George Elliott (1891-1958) and Anise Wilmoth Elliott (1898-1985). His twin brother, Brownlee Wilmoth Elliott preceded him in death on August 21, 2005. Ed grew up in Jefferson City and spent some summers as a child at his Uncle Brown's farm in Randolph County, West Virginia. As a young man, Ed was an avid arrowhead collector fascinated by Osage Indian culture. Ed graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1943, and volunteered to serve in World War II in 1943 at age 17. Initially too young for active duty, he participated in the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program at the University of Kansas from August-November 1943. Ed was called to active duty on November 13, 1943, and had additional training at Jefferson Barracks near St Louis; Fort Benning, Georgia; Camp Livingston, Louisiana; and Camp San Luis Obispo, California. He attained the rank of Private First Class in Company 3, 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Division ("Black Hawk Division") of the Army of the United States. During Ed's time in the Army, he served in Germany, Austria, and the Philippines. He was proud of his marksmanship, and received the Expert Rifleman's Badge. He was honorably discharged on April 22, 1946. One of the treasures Ed left is an extensive scrapbook documenting his experiences in the Army, including letters written home to his parents. After leaving the Army, Ed attended the University of Missouri in Columbia where he received a B.S. degree in Agriculture in 1950. At MU, he met Patricia Joan Todd. Ed and Joan were united in marriage on August 15, 1954, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Nevada, Missouri. Ed was involved with the Boy Scouts of America from youth through adulthood. With his father Edward and brother Brownlee, he was a charter member of Troop 10 at Grace Episcopal Church, and became the first member of the troop to achieve Eagle Scout. From June through August 1943, he worked at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. He first developed his life-long love of fishing at Philmont. As an adult Scout leader, he relished camping, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing, and led trips to Philmont and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Ed served as Committee Chairman of Troop 10. He took pride in the number of Troop 10 Scouts who attained Eagle rank, and always gave credit to mothers for their sons' success. The Great Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America recognized Ed's contributions with the Silver Beaver Award in 1978 and Vigil Honor, Order of the Arrow in 1987. His Indian name conferred with the Order of the Arrow was Pennauweleman, "Thoughtful One." Ed became interested in birds when he took a field observation class at MU. In winter, he carefully tended his bird feeders and taught his children to identify birds from seats at the kitchen table, on car trips, and on outings to state parks and conservation areas. As his vision decreased, Ed practiced improving his ability to identity bird songs by listening to recordings from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Ed was a talented pen and ink and pencil sketch artist and photographer. He used his Ricoh Twin Lens Reflex camera and a hand-held light meter to take Kodachrome slides and black and white photos. The Missouri Senate recognized Ed for his 24 years of service to the State of Missouri when he retired in 1993, from the Division of Family Services, Food Assistance Programs Office. Ed understood the importance of good nutrition and equal access to quality food. His work was instrumental in establishing the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the forerunner to the current Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA. In later years, Ed's passions included trout fishing at Bennett Springs State Park, gardening, and singing in the adult choir at Grace Episcopal Church. He made his grandson Robert into a fisherman. He delighted in planting his garden anew each spring: starting seedlings in the basement, testing and enriching the soil, trying out new varieties of tomatoes, selecting plants at Longfellow's Garden Center, and sharing the first crop of strawberries at Memorial Day. He diligently attended choir practice, listening to recordings to help him learn the music, and memorized words and music when his failing vision made it too difficult to read scores. Ed Elliott was a gentle, kind, conscientious, courteous, and noble spirit and servant, loved by and inspiring to his family members and those who knew him. He suffered health handicaps and overcame hardships with little self-pity or complaining. We miss and love him. We believe any suffering he endured is over now and entrust him to the care of the Lord. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26. A memorial service for Edward George Elliott Jr. will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Grace Episcopal Church, High and Adams Streets, Jefferson City, with the Reverend Shariya Molegoda officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at Riverview Cemetery. A luncheon reception and visitation will follow the graveside service in the Grace Church Fellowship Hall from 1:00 until 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Boy Scouts of America, Great Rivers Council, 1203 Fay St., Columbia, MO 65201. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com