John Harley Elliott

John Harley Elliott, 93, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2022 in Arlington, Texas.
John was born on February 13, 1929 in Tom Bean, Texas to Raymond Clive Elliott and Ruth Gunn Elliott. After graduating high school, John proudly served the United States Navy in the Korean War as a Communications Specialist. After Honorable Discharge John resided in Arlington, Texas and had a family of four. He was Lead Supervisor at Kerr Glass for many years. He later remarried and added four more beautiful children he called his own and generously cared for all eight of them. John retired from Kerr Glass at 62 years old but quickly learned that retirement was not for him. He took on various part time jobs, with his work as a security guard for the Texas Rangers Baseball Organization being among his most cherished role. He was well acquainted with the Rangers Baseball players and coaching staff and remained an zealous Texas Rangers Baseball fan even after retiring from his position in security.
John found his life’s purpose in being a strong provider and avid supporter of family life. John raised 8 children and 3 grandchildren; stepping in seamlessly as a father to those three grandchildren when their father passed away while they were still very young. Always, he was a committed and loving grandfather to all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an ever present support and enjoyed attending dance recitals, wrestling matches, football, baseball games, and birthday parties. If there was a child in need, his or someone else’s, he was always there for them and enjoyed serving as a coach to Arlington Optimist PeeWee football teams and refereeing wrestling matches at Poly America as well. John also loved animals, especially his rescue, Bo.
John was an American patriot through and through and faithful to his Democratic roots. Although he was often at odds with his wife and many family members in his Democratic stance, he enjoyed a feisty debate over politics and coexisted with his wife on this premise peacefully mainly because they frequently canceled out each other’s votes.
John enjoyed traveling and socializing and frequently made friends wherever he went. He had fans of his own among waitresses and patrons at frequently visited restaurants, and visitors to Ranger Stadium and in his latter years his charm captured the hearts of caregivers, nurses and physicians at the hospital and in home hospice. His spectacular memory made him a wonderful conversationalist and resource for an accurate account of history, making him a wellspring of sound advice, wisdom and entertainment.
John was a creature of habit. A very regimented soul, he was always early to everything and appreciated meals on a schedule. He was early to rise and early to bed. A very hard worker and loving man. He had a great sense of humor, a radiant smile and was simultaneously brutally honest.
There is no doubt that John will be missed by those we know and countless others we’ve never met as his family.
John is survived by his wife, Margie Elliott, sons Randy Elliott and his wife DeeDee Elliott, Kevin Gerkin, Scot Elliott and his wife Christina Elliott, daughters Cheryl Hardy and her husband Rick Hardy, Carla Moon and her husband Scott Moon, Tracy Moon and 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
John is preceded in death by his parents and his eight brothers and one sister, daughters, Cathey Mullins and her husband Mike Mullins, Lori Lee Heien and her husband Gene Heien, son-in-law Jeff Moon and John’s granddaughter Kimberly Watkins.