Charles Robert Elliott

Charles Elliott was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. He passed away on Wednesday, June 7 at the age of 86. A native of Henry County, Charles was born in McDonough to George and Cora Elliott on November 20, 1936. He graduated from McDonough High School, Class of 1954 and was voted Most Athletic by his classmates. Charles was a four-sport letterman – football, basketball, baseball, and track – and was the quarterback of the first high school football team in Henry County, the Golden Tornados. After graduating from high school, Charles joined the Navy at 17 years old where he was a member of the Hurricane Hunter Squadron. This Squadron acted as the original weather radar by flying an airplane into the hurricane’s eye to measure wind speeds and track the hurricane’s direction in the Gulf of Mexico. Charles was responsible for operating a camera located in the tail section of the plane to capture photos of the hurricane interior.

On a weekend pass to visit his parents in 1956, he happened to visit the American Legion Hall where he noticed a cute girl named Carole Crumbley who knew her way around the dance floor. Sixty-seven years later, the two sweethearts were still dancing.

Charles was a hard worker and a long-time employee of McDonough Power Equipment. Charles was dedicated to and passionate about the people, events, and interests that touched his heart. He was a determined champion and constant presence in the lives of his wife, three daughters, his sons-in-law, and his thirteen perfect and wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid golfer, a gifted gardener, a graceful swimmer, and an intrepid hunter and fisherman, Charles found joy in many pursuits but he lived and breathed UGA Bulldog Football. Nothing came between Charles and a perfect Fall Saturday watching his team play between the hedges. He knew every statistic, kept a very close eye on the coaches in case they stepped out of line, and although he was allowed to complain about a losing season, other people were not allowed to say anything negative about anyone wearing silver britches.

A member of the McDonough Lions Club, he had a perfect attendance record with the organization for over 50 years of monthly meetings. Charles served on the Henry County Water Authority Board, managed poll precincts and workers, taught school children to garden through a Farm Bureau School initiative, was a member of Kelley Presbyterian Church, and was a founding member of the Heritage Park Community Gardens. He loved good food especially his mama’s coconut cake and biscuits, his 1967 red Chevrolet truck, St. Simons Island, his iPad, and cowboy movies. Charles loved a good story, and his belly laugh was infectious to friends and family. He was always the first person in line for a good time.

Charles was the beloved husband and best friend to Carole for 65 years, loving father of Marty (Jim) Fallon, Dee (Stan) Smith, and Mary Kathryn (Edwyn) Carter, a busting-with-pride grandpa and great grandpa to Jimmy (Ana) Fallon, Caroline (Russell) Garrison, Ellie Kate and Tilley Garrison, Dottie (Christopher) Rich, Rosie and Weston Rich, Elliott (Amanda) Smith, Lillie Smith and fiance’ Bill Woodroof, Alex Carter, Mollie Carter and Hampton Carter, big brother to Debra (Raymond) Bailey, Alex (Claire) Crumbley, Wade (April) Crumbley and the late Jeanette Lyle and Faye Causey, and partner-in-mischief to legions of nephews, nieces, cousins, lifelong friends, golfing buddies, and fellow Bulldog fans.

Visitation is Friday, June 9 at 1 PM Kelley Presbyterian Church with the Memorial Service to follow at 2 PM. The Memorial Service will be available live on the Kelley Presbyterian Church Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Kelley Presbyterian Church, 3637 Airline Road, McDonough, Georgia 30252. For funeral information, please call 770.914.8833 or visit www.haistenfunerals.com.