Obituary of Watt Dement Elrod

Watt Dement Elrod, a hero (and our father) departed this world on Saturday December the 8th leaving, for us anyway, a slightly darker and somewhat diminished world in which to live. 

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Marty Leonard Chapel, 3131 Sanquinet St, Ft Worth, TX.

Graveside Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX.

Memorials: Should friends desire, memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave. 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 www.themmrf.org or Fisher House Foundation 12300 Twinbrook Parkway Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852 www.fisherhouse.org.

Born in Tennessee in the depths of the great depression. He was the youngest of three brothers. Had they chosen to do so, they might have been a terror to the peaceful community of Murfreesboro. However, as they were peaceful, gentle Christian souls who were guided by the firm hand of a stern lord who gave no quarter, conveniently manifested in the guise of two wonderful parents, this was not the case. 

Dad, despite being the youngest, was the first and only of the three to venture from those beautiful and familial Tennessee hills in order to attend Georgia Tech University.  After graduation he joined the United States Air Force where he served his country first as a combat pilot and then in the command structure for 30 years. He performed multiple tours and over 100 combat missions in the Vietnam Conflict in addition to carrying out a deterrent role as a nuclear strike pilot in Strategic Air Command. 

Following his Air Force Career he again served his country in over a decade in the Administration of F-16 fighter production with the Lockheed Corporation. 

But these accomplishments are not the truest measure of the man. Much like our recently departed President the prime motivations in his life were God, Family and Country. Those who knew him best are most apt to describe him as a kind, gentle and giving soul. One of my friends from college once remarked while visiting our home that Dad was so gracious that he might be confused as a wonderfully natured man-servant.  

Yet despite being a gentle soul there was enormous strength that saw his family through some very trying times with quiet and steadfast determination. My mother told me that the only time she ever saw him break down in tears was at the Vietnam “Wall” Memorial as he read the names of lost friends and colleagues.  I was not there to witness this but I too did see him break down in tears on only one occasion…at her passing. 

We pray that he is with her now and that they are happy.

Survivors: Son, Jon Elrod; daughter, Liliana Elrod; brother, Mac Elrod; and extended family.