Edward Dole Elliott

Edward D. Elliott, 90, died unexpectedly but peacefully on May 29, 2026, at a Tucson, Arizona hospital surrounded by his children. He was born June 16, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Edward Charles Elliott and Wilma Evalyne (Dole) Elliott.

Ed graduated from Thornton Fractional High School in Calumet City, Illinois, in 1953. He attended Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, for a time after his high school graduation. On February 3, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Lou Gerold, and they settled in Morton, Illinois. Through the course of their lives, they lived in Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia. They celebrated 62 years of marriage.

After high school, Ed joined the Illinois National Guard as a Private, completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then went on active duty in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer. He proudly served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and an Air Medal during his combat service. Ed served with honesty and integrity and always demonstrated trust and respect for the ingenuity of the American GI.

After he left active duty, he completed his long-delayed college degree at Illinois State University in 1973. He went to work for the Chrysler Corporation, and then Isuzu Motors, where he retired as the Southeastern United States Parts and Service Manager. During this time, Ed also continued serving his country in the US Army Reserves, retiring with over 35 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

His youth was spent riding his bike, selling newspapers and ice cream, swimming, running track, and camping with the Boy Scouts. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and later led a group of scouts to Philmont. His interests included a lifelong love of all things mechanical and he spent many hours under the hood of a car, or tinkering with any type of motor. He was a member of the Antique Outboard Motor Club, where he held several offices over the years. One of his favorite places was the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely, Minnesota, where he loved to fish.

Ed lived his life with honesty, integrity, and respect for others. He cherished his independence, he never complained, and he never quit. Ed was an inspiration to many.

In addition to his parents, he was by preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, and his sister, Marguerite Elliott. Surviving are his daughter, Margot (Elliott) Savage and her husband, Tom, of Lowell, Arkansas; son, Edward Elliott, and his wife, Amy, of Salem, Virginia; five grandchildren, Tom Savage, Lauren (Savage) Gross, her husband, Jeremy, Michael Savage, Isaac Elliott, and Allison Elliott; seven great-grandchildren, Emily Bloss, Benjamin Bloss, Marguerite Savage, Isabella Gross, Olivia Gross, Gianna Gross, and Jackson Gross; his brother, Harry Elliott and his wife, Betty, of Houston, Texas; along with many nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, Vinton, VA. Interment will be at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Roanoke, where he will join his wife, Nancy, forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1130 Hardy Rd, Vinton, VA 24179.