Funeral services for Earsel D. Elmore, 94, of Monroe will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, October 3, 2011, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, with Rev. Ken Fryer officiating. Interment with Masonic Service and Military Honor Guard will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Elmore passed away, at home, after a lengthy illness on Friday, September 30, 2011, with his family at his side.
Mr. Elmore was born on July 4, 1917 in Wilmar, AR and moved to Monroe in 1929. He graduated from Ouachita Parish High School in 1935, attended Northeast Louisiana Junior College (now ULM) and Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. He worked for United Gas Pipeline Co. before entering the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1942 where he served as an intelligence specialist until he was discharged in 1946 in Berlin, Germany.
Immediately upon his release from the Army, he, along with R. E. Bentz, founded Bentz & Elmore Inc., a prominent local highway contractor. Mr. Elmore remained active in the company operations until 2005. Bentz & Elmore was a Monroe icon for over half a century during which time they hired hundreds of employees, built many roads, bridges, subdivisions, and many other types of infrastructure for the State, Parish and Cities. His work will be enjoyed for generations to come. His latest venture, named after this legacy, Elmore Generations, LLC will continue to serve the community he loved so much.
Mr. Elmore was an active member of College Place Baptist Church for 51 years. He had many friends and loved them all. He said he was departing this world without, to his knowledge, one enemy. He loved his Lord and showed it in his daily life. He met the love of his life, Jean Watts at age 40 and married for the first time at 42. His life was dedicated to doing for others and enjoying his two sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Mr. Elmore loved his community and served on many boards and committees. He was on the original committee that built Cheniere Lake and served as the chairman of that commission for an additional 10 years.
Mr. Elmore was on the commission that set up the Ouachita Parish Rural Fire Department complete with financing and fire stations. This lowered the homeowner’s insurance rates for all of the residents of rural Ouachita Parish. Mr. Elmore was active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years during which time his youngest son attained the rank of Eagle. Mr. Elmore was a founding charter member of the committee responsible for the procurement and construction of the T. L. James Boy Scout Camp in west Ouachita Parish. He was instrumental in raising $875,000 with which they purchased the land, built a dining hall, ranger home and all of the lakes and improvements. He was awarded the Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver, scouting’s highest civilian award. Mr. Elmore’s name is on the corner stone of the Scout building.
Mr. Elmore was a Master Mason, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, 10th Degree York Rite Mason, and a Shrine Mason. He was a member of the Western Star #24 Blue Lodge in Monroe where he served on the traveling degree team and the building committee. His name is on the corner stone of that lodge building. He was a charter member and building committee member of the Barak Shrine Temple. His name is also on the corner stone of the Barak Shrine Center.
Mr. Elmore was preceded in death by his father, George R. Elmore; mother, Mary Jane Elmore; sisters, Opal Riece Gavioli and Virginia Elizabeth Bentz; and mother and father-in-law, Maggie and Ray Watts.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean Watts Elmore; two sons, Joel O. Elmore of Richmond, VA and Phillip Ray Elmore and wife Kathy of Monroe. He had five grandchildren, Alex Bradley Elmore and wife Bridget of Richmond, VA, Devin Elmore Mauzy and husband Thaxton of St. Louis, MO, Benjamin Ray Elmore and wife Kathy of Monroe, Daniel Ray Elmore of West Monroe, and Holten Ray Elmore of Monroe; and two great grandchildren, Cailyn Mackenzie Elmore and Austin Ray Elmore also of Monroe. He is also survived by his nephews, Dr. Louis Gavioli and wife Linda of Monroe and Robert D. Bentz and wife Debbie of Monroe; one niece, Jaynie Bentz St. Pierre of Monroe; and one very special cousin, David Young and wife Della of Monroe.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brad Elmore, Benjamin Elmore, Holten Ray Elmore, and Thaxton Mauzy; and nephews, Bobbie Bentz, Louis Gavioli, Marshall Douglas, and Mike Sullivan.
Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny (Bo) Mitchell, Bert Hatten, Jennings Wilkins, George McGuffie, Charles Prichard, R. A. Hunter, David Young, Robert E. Bentz, and James Davison.
Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Charles Morgan, Dr. M. Paul Watson, Hospice Family Alliance, and his nurse Renee Jackson for their special care and comfort.
The family requests memorials be made to College Place Baptist Church, 301 Sherrouse, Monroe, LA 71203.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com