Elbert was born on August 17, 1926 to Elbert Monroe and Carrye Marie (Walkup) Minor in Kansas City, Missouri. He was a lifelong resident of the Greater Kansas City area until he suffered a traumatic brain injury in August, 2015. After the TBI, Elbert and his wife, Mary, moved to the Topeka area to be closer to family.
He graduated from Southeast High School in 1943. Elbert enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944 at the age of 17 and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. His tour of duty during the War included Guam and Marcus Island. He served as a MP guarding camps of Japanese prisoners. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Before the war, he met the love of his life, Mary Ratchford at the Kansas City Bait & Fly Casting Club where she attended with her father. Elbert sent Mary a gardenia corsage for her high school graduation in 1944. She called to thank him and he asked her out for lunch the next day. They married on January 15, 1949. Elbert affectionately called her "The Boss." They recently celebrated their 67th anniversary with their friends and family. Mary spent every day with Elbert holding hands following his injury. They were a wonderful married couple and best friends.
Elbert's first love was his precious wife, Mary. His other passions included running, golf and badminton. He participated in numerous community runs in Topeka and Kansas City. He was an avid sports fan. He and Mary watched the Indy 500, the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and many other sports events.
Elbert worked since the age of 12 years old. He worked at Gateway Sporting Goods on Main Street as a young man. Following his Military service, he returned to Gateway. He worked as an Insurance Salesman for Paul Revere Life Insurance Company for more than 40 years. He received numerous awards during his Insurance career.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge with the Harry S. Truman Class and the Shrine Temple. He supported the Dwight Cowles American Legion Post 370 of Overland Park, Kansas.
Elbert is preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Brian Bolyard. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Topeka; daughters Sharon (Thomas) Bolyard, Kathleen (Richard) Selig and Melissa Lewis, all of Topeka; grandchildren: Lyndsay (Brad) Tindell of Topeka, Brandon Minor (Josh) Selig-Votaw of Overland Park; Jennifer Bolyard of Topeka; Eian Benton Lewis of Topeka; and great-granddaughters Ryleigh Ann and Landry of Topeka.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at McCrite Plaza for the love and wonderful care over the past year. You truly became an extension of our family. We would also like to thank Midland Care for the support and care in our loved one's final days. We were blessed to have all of you in our lives.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Midland Care Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606 and/or Wounded Warrior Project, Attention: Advanced Guard, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-9917.
Visitation will be held from 12:00-1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 29, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. Interment in Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
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