Donald (Don) Lee Elhart, born May 12, 1930, died Friday, November 9, 2012.
In the afternoon of Friday, November 9, 2012, Don L Elhart age 82, was out on the deck of his home feeding the birds, came in with some difficulty breathing, and within minutes of sitting down passed. No pain, just a shortness of breath. We believe his heart to which he has had so many challenges over the years (smoked from age 11 to age 48), simply stopped and was not to be restarted this time.
The paramedics and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department were summoned, responded quickly, were wonderful, but never a spark. He died quickly and without pain in the comfort of his own living room. He did not have to be transported to the hospital. He did not have to go through the ER drill just one more time. The County Coroner/Sheriff and our Pastor Martin Russell, Our Redeemers’ Lutheran Church came over and we had prayer and some time alone with him before the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home came to pick him up. What a wonderful team we had there that night!
You would know he is going to be greatly missed. We really felt with his pacemaker and recent stint surgery we had a longer time to enjoy life with him. I am so sorry to say, it was not to be.
Cremation has taken place and we will schedule a service to celebrate his life soon. This will be when we can get all family members here, most likely sometime after the Holidays and into the New Year.
His wife Joan Barbara Elhart is doing as well as could be expected. A solo chapter without her partner of 62 years will be a tough go for a while at least. We are all numb and just taking it hour by hour for a while now.
Don was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, at the home of “Aunt Edith Flagg”, on May 12, 1930 to parents Donavan Albert Elhart and Ada Grace VanGundy. He graduated from East High, Denver, Colorado in 1948. The Van Gundy family in Grand Junction Colorado along with his dear cousins including Berta Donn (Flagg) Gardener and Marilyn Kotich always provided him with strong and positive memories and connection. He has one sibling, Gary A. Elhart, another strong positive individual.
On March 10, 1951 he married his love and partner for life, Joan Barbara Dodge. (Her parents Denton D. Dodge and Ruby Marie Dodge like parents also to Don.) To this union they were blessed with 3 children – Linda Gail Bosley (Jim); Rick Donn Elhart (Susan), and Steven Mark Elhart (Sunnie). Don and Joan share 6 Grand Children: Heather Marie Muhonen (Tim), James Ryan Bosley, Kate Susan Joyce (Jerem), Penny Joan Leslie (Nick), Thomas Lee Elhart and Lindsey Jo Elhart. They also share 2 Great Grandchildren: Olivia Muhonen and Aubrie Muhonen.
He served his Country, enlisted in the United States Navy as a Gunner on the USS Helena during the Korean Conflict! Honorable Discharge from Active Duty 12-6-1949 and Honorable Discharge from Naval Reserve in 1955.
Don was known as being a great listener and easily made friends. He worked for Texaco, Inc for 38 years, starting in the mail room at age 20, while working two other jobs needed to support his young family, he subsequently, received his “College Degree” in Engineering from experience there and finished his career there as their top Petroleum/Sales Engineer. They referred to him as the “Desert Fox” with them not really understanding him….you see he was simply able to win clients over with his willingness to really care, address their needs and to Listen! His name was a synonym with Integrity and honesty. He did what he said he would do!
He was loved deeply by all of his family and many friends and we will miss him deeply. He did leave something behind…. a Legacy, which will serve generations! This Legacy in that there is a bit of him in each of us who knew him, learned from him and loved his quiet and sincere way. He and his wife Joan raised their children in the way of the Lutheran Church and we know he is with Christ now and that we will follow him in our time and again be with him with Christ through Eternity. Thanks Dad, Grampa, Husband, Father in Law, friend for being there as the sturdy root for this family. You are truly missed!
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Rick and Susan Elhart says
Not really prepared yet to move forward without you Dad! Thanks for all you did and who you were. I can see parts of you in each of us – your family and for that you will live forever! We know you are with Christ! Love Rick
Penny says
Grandpa,
You were one of the kindest, sweetest people I have ever known. I can’t even begin to explain how much you will be missed and how blessed we all are to have had you in our lives. You will live on in our hearts forever and the memories we have will always bring a smile to my face. I love you so much and am sending a big hug up to heaven.
XOXO
Penny
Kate (Elhart) Joyce says
I keep hoping that you are not really gone, Grampa – though I know you are in Paradise with Jesus. Thank you for all of your love, your kindness, and for all you did for our family. You are greatly missed. I know you will be waiting to greet us when we, too are called to Heaven. I love you so so much!!! XO
Gary says
How do you say goodbye to such a wonderful Brother? You don’t, you just say farewell until we meet again, in Heaven with Mom and Dad. We all miss your dearly, and love you with all of our hearts. You helped me grow up into the person that I am and I will always cherish you for that, as I have always looked up to you as my “Big Brother”. “Hang Tuff”, you will always be in our hearts, as your love has touched each and every one of us in a way that only you can do…….