Wes Elam

Wes was born April 20, 1967 to Tom and Bonnie Elam and his sister, Missy, whom he adored. His family included his grandparents: Jimmie and Jack Yarbrough; Billie Elam Mahaney and David Frank (Pos) Elam; his Godparents, Anne and Wesson DeKlyn, Joan Jefferson Kling; and aunts, Marcella Crump and Ophelia Elam of Memphis, Tennessee.

Wes married Karin Walker and joined her family with Jacob and Jonathan, whom he respected and loved deeply. They shared great music, laughter, and fun at Bald Head Island.

His father, Tom, flew in the Air Force and our family moved from Tennessee to North Carolina to Nebraska then to California before returning to North Carolina.

As a young child, Wes listened to ants in the grass. He camped with the Scouts; played soccer in cold sleet and on fields in hot deserts, he hiked in forests; biked through the woods; skied on lakes behind the family’s boats; captured small creatures, then let them go free; and played on sandy beaches. He rescued small animals, stranded fish, neighbors trapped in swirling waters, and friends searching for their place in the world.

He was very active in the Youth Group at White Memorial Presbyterian Church and one of his greatest memories was going with friends to Montreat, sharing talks about spirituality and responsibility to his fellow man. He would often sit with, and support, those who struggled with life, their beliefs and challenges.

Wes loved all things Ravenscroft, especially his friends. He sang in the choir and in “South Pacific: wore a tutu to cheer the powderpuff ball game, played soccer, lacrosse, and was so proud to be on the 1987 football team that won the North Carolina State Championship.

He attended Elon and North Carolina State University and remained an avid Wolfpack fan, with his father, sister, brother-in-law and their children, Spencer and Anne, whom he adored.

Wes designed and built beautiful boxes made from exotic woods, constructed fine furniture, built decks and landscaped and he was always ready to help a friend.

One of Wes Elam’s greatest Gifts was that he recognized all those he met as fellow human beings, greeting them with respect and kindness. Remember him well.

We are each better for being a part of his life.

To honor Wes, please share your gifts: Plant a tree, walk on the beach with friends, gaze at the moon and stars, sit quietly in the warm sun. Hold close those you love as they embrace you.

Greet all you meet with kindness and respect. Recognize the spiritually of all things. Honor our Creator. Listen to children’s laughter; dogs barking; crickets, frogs and cicadids; hear the oceans roar and lap of the wave; hear a hawk’s call among rustling trees. Enjoy good foods. Be a Mentor. Sing and laugh with friends and share that laughter with children beset by injury or illness. Feed the hungry. Share your gifts. Embrace the lonely. Be a friend.

And remember Wes, who made our world a better place, and smile.

Contributions may be made in Wes Elam’s name to:

White Memorial Presbyterian Church

For Youth Camp Scholarships

1708 Oberlin Road

Raleigh, North Carolina 27608

http://www.whitememorial,org

Or

Haiti Outreach Ministries

School Sponsorships honoring Wes Elam

P O Box 942

Matthews, North Carolina 28106

https://www.haitiom.org

Or

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, Tennessee 38105

www.stjude.org