Charles “Chuck” Edward Elrod, 87, of Pittsburg, Kansas died 8:27 p.m. Saturday Nov. 23, 2024, at his home following an illness.
Chuck was born July 7, 1937, in Edgerton, Kansas, the son of Alpha Edwin and Dorothy Irene (Redenbaugh) Elrod. He was a graduate of Edgerton High School. After high school, Chuck served in the U.S. Army from June 2, 1955, to May 19, 1958; he was stationed overseas in Hokkaido, Japan as part of the Army Security Agency. Later in life Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served alongside his son, Doug. After he returned from Japan, Chuck married Genevieve Tobler Aug. 30, 1958, in Kansas City, Mo. They later divorced. Chuck lived in Antioch, Kansas; Junction City, Oregon; and Springhill, Kansas prior to moving to Pittsburg in 1975.
Chuck married Anne Elizabeth Fry on July 3, 1980, at the Timmons Chapel in Pittsburg, Kansas; their love and devotion to each other lasted for more than 44 years. She survives at the home. Chuck worked in Maintenance for Pittsburg State University for 25 years. In his early years, he owned and operated a gas station and grocery store in Antioch, Kansas. Later in his life, he helped at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home for more than a decade and was known as one of the “Driver Brothers.”
Chuck was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Weir Saddle Club, Army Reserves, member of Quail Unlimited, enjoyed fishing, hunting, motorcycle rides, riding mules, Pitt State football games, and spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed watching his grandson, Drew, play for the Pitt State Gorillas.
Survivors include his wife; children Doug Elrod and wife Terry of Pittsburg, Kansas, Diana Wilson and husband Rick of Pittsburg, Kansas, Theresa Smith and husband Ron of Oswego, Kansas, Sheryl McGrath of Stilwell, Kansas, Sarah Gill and husband Tim of Pittsburg, Kansas and Aubrey Miller and husband Shawn of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; sister Judy Gillette of Gardner, Kansas; brother Roger Elrod and wife Clio of Pomona, Kansas; grandchildren Michael Wilson, Jason Wilson, Christine Parsons, Lindsey Martin, Neil Smith, Brad Smith, Levin McGrath, Genna McGrath, Drew Gill, Margaret Gill, Mary Gill, Charlie Gill, Lucy Gill, Leo Miller and Peter Miller; 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, sister Irene Sundquist and a special cousin Roy Elrod.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday Nov. 30, 2024, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Simone, Fr. Bob McElwee, and Fr. Jeremy Huser as concelebrants. Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friday Nov. 29, 2024, at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, Kansas with the family to receive friends following the rosary until 8:00pm. Friends may call at the funeral home after 3 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to Tunnel 2 Towers, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, and/or Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, Kansas 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, Kansas.
