Carlos E. Elmore 1925-2009

Carlos E. Elmore, age 84, son of Charles and Adda( Crismon) Elmore was born March 6, 1925 in Houston, MO. He passed away May 31, 2009 at the St. John’s Mercy Medical Center St. Louis, MO.

Carlos was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Nelda Jeanne (Ross) Elmore, 4 brothers; Charles, Woodrow, Clark and Gerald, 6 sisters; Gladys Duff, Nancy Boesl, Pauline DeRosa, Mary Louise Smith, Carol Pipkin and Bernice Elmore who was stillborn.

He is survived by his son Bruce Elmore and wife Sandi of Bland, MO, daughter Susan Steckler and husband Dick of Houston, MO, 2 brothers; Duane Elmore of CA, and Don Elmore of FL, 3 grandchildren; Erin Elmore Pendino, Dusty Elmore and Casey Elmore, 2 step grandchildren; Rich Steckler II, and Kristin Veazey, 4 great grandchildren; Lauren, Jack, Livia and Aubrey, 4 step great grandchildren; Joy, Hope, Peace and Pete, with 2 more great grandchildren on the way.

Carlos grew up in Houston and graduated from Houston High School. He married Nelda Jeanne Ross on July 31, 1946. He operated his own auto repairs garage for 15 years, and then taught auto mechanics at Houston High School for 24 years.

He accepted Christ into his life at an early age. He was an active member and served as an elder, Sunday School Teacher, church choir member and sang in a Men’s quartet at the First Christian Church.

Carlos was in the United States Army, serving his country from April 1943 to December 1945. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge, and was a POW in Germany for the remainder of the war. He received the American Theater Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was a man with a variety of interests. He loved gardening, motorcycles, blue grass music, going fishing, visiting with his friends and gathering at the Drug Store for coffee and small talk. He was an avid reader and loved to write letters to the editor on many subjects that caught his fancy. He also enjoyed flying. He even built his own airplane and flew it for several years. He liked to build the small radio controlled planes and flew them with other avid “aviators”.

Carlos was a friendly man, always with a smile, hello and smart remark for the day. He will be missed by friends and family who knew and loved him.

Pine Lawn Cemetery