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Submitted: 2/12/15 • Approved: 2/12/15 • Last Updated: 2/15/15 • R1061744-G0-S3
Jan 30, 1944 - June 22, 2014
Married Mary "Johnnie" Feb 14, 1964
Obituary
Garry Morris Elam, "Papa T", age 70 went to be with his Lord on June 22, 2014. He was born January 30, 1944 in the small community of Bulltown, Arkansas to the late Clarence and Dorothy Tims Elam. Garry grew up in the communities of Cotton Plant and Brinkley, graduating from Brinkley High School in 1961. He was the oldest of 8 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his sisters Barbara (Eddie) Dobson of Brinkley and Marilyn Warren of Texas and youngest brother Gerald Elam of Clarendon. Aside from his parents, Garry had lost three brothers Donald Ray, Robert, and Charles Elam. On Valentine's Day in 1964, Garry married the love of his life and best friend, Johnnie. They honeymooned at the drag races. Garry and Johnnie did everything together. Where you saw one of them you always saw the other. They had recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Garry and Johnnie had been living in Des Arc since 1973. They had two children, Garri Lynn and Teddy. Ronnie, Garry's brother moved into the home just before they moved to Des Arc and was raised as one of their own. Ronnie passed away in August of 2013.
Garry was a simple, hardworking, honest man. No matter what he was doing, whether planting beans, coaching a baseball team, or listening to a grandkid's story, he gave it his best. He engaged in farming for a number of years in Des Arc, worked for Sanner Oil Company, owned his own business several times, and later in life (post retirement) worked for Agro part time. He was always busy. Even after retiring and supposedly slowing down, Garry could be found most evenings working in his garden or changing someone's oil in the shop till late at night.
Sports were a large part of Garry's life. He wore the title of player, coach, board member, and for the grandkids –Biggest Fan. He and Johnnie along with others helped establish the Des Arc Baseball Program. Garry coached both his sons and half the kids in Des Arc during the early years of the Program. He believed in playing fair and always managed to put a winning team on the field. He was a St. Louis Cardinal Fan. He avidly supported the Des Arc Eagles. He even could be seen wearing purple in support of the Lonoke Jackrabbits for his two oldest grandkids. If there was a good game going on whether football, baseball, or basketball, Johnnie and Garry were probably there to watch.
Teddy and Garry owned Elam Race Team and spent many years racing cars in street stock and modified around local tracks in Beebe, Batesville, Little Rock, and Harrisburg. It didn't take him long to realize Teddy was the better driver so he became the pit crew, engine repairer, tire man, and everything else that needed to be done. They were joined by numerous family and friends that helped make for a winning team. Garry could build a motor from scratch and could fix anything with grey tape. Garry leaves behind eight spoiled rotten grandkids that called him Papa T. The T comes from an old nickname Tatum. Whitley, Rollins, Kylee, Kassidy, Gracen, Kizen, Jarrett, and Lizzie all have stories of their time with Poppa T. He believed they were never wrong, the best players on the team, and the prettiest kids he had ever seen. He believed they were never too young to hold a ball or ride on something. He could be seen around town with any one of them on the moped, golf cart, 4-wheeler, or in the truck going to check the goats or the river.
Garry was also a long time active member of Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church. He was recently honored for 14 ½ years of service to the Awana program where he drove the bus and helped in game time. He was on the Missionary Committee and sang in the choir. Garry was on the building committee and helped break ground for the current sanctuary in 1983. He had a love for the Lord, and enjoyed taking part in all activities with his church and members. In honor of Garry, memorials may be made to Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 42, Des Arc, AR 72040.
Services will be Thursday, June 26, 2014, 10:00 am at Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery. Pall bearers are Wayne Carter, Keith Cheshier, Edward Holmes, Billy Don Johnson, Mike Livesay, and Jesse Tackett Honorary pallbearers are Allen Highfill, Ken Hall, Jerry McFarlin, Leon Moon, Randy Pickrell, Don Rogers, Jim Sanner, Tony Smith, Terrell Sutton, and Jim Wallace
Contributed on 2/12/15 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1061744