JR Elam

JR Elam, age 74 of Purcell, passed away Saturday, September 18, 2021. Walter Roger Elam was born July 11, 1947 in Marlow, OK, the middle child of Jack and Mary Margaret (Patterson) Elam. He was raised in Marlow and attended school there, graduating with the Outlaw Class of 1965. JR married young to LaDonna Reed, and to this union, sons, Rusty and Kelly and daughter, Stacy were born. It wasn’t long before JR was headed to Vietnam. He enlisted in the United States Navy, and served his country proudly. Back home, he began working in construction, mainly as an equipment operator, and he retired as a supervisor. JR later committed to one of his best friends and longtime partner, Johnnie Sue Chumley, and they spent several wonderful years together until her passing in 2015. JR reconnected with another old friend, Ramona Dodson, and he knew he had met the love of his life. They eventually married, on May 5, 2018, in Dibble, and two families became one. If you knew JR, you knew he liked to collect things. He very rarely missed a flea market or garage sale, and he just needed to buy some stuff. He loved anything and everything to do with horses, enjoyed traveling with Ramona and frequenting the casino. JR cherished his family, and his grandchildren were truly his pride and joy. He was a wonderful husband and father, grandfather, brother, uncle and a true friend. He will be dearly missed! He was preceded in death by: his Father, Jack Elam; brother Kenneth Elam and daughter-in-law, Carla Elam. JR is survived by: his mother, Mary Margaret Elam; his wife Ramona of the home; daughter, Stacy Brown and husband Paul of Duncan; his boys, Rusty Elam and wife Kelly of Tuttle and Kelly Elam and wife Kristi of Moore; bonus children, Erin Dodson of Dibble, Sara Adair and husband TJ of Moore and Henry Price of OKC; Sister, Bonnie Trobee and husband Wayne of Chickasha; grandchildren, Austin (Coop) Elam and wife Payton, Lynssie Elam, Cael Elam, Faith Laffoon, Gunner Laffoon, Blayne Lee Hodgson and husband Nicholas, Jack Elam, Kolby James Elam, Holly Renee Elam, Shelby McGanty and husband Kyle, Taylor Duncan, Cherokee Duncan, Dakota Waggoner and wife Morgan, Sue Baker and husband Joshua, Corbin Cooper, Travis Dodson, Joey Vaughn, Kaden Hoey and Tucker Price; Great grandchildren, Axtyn Elam, Langston Betttis, Kayden Elam-Bettis, Collins McGanty, Elayna McGanty, Ian Waggoner and Delilah Waggoner; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other family and friends. Graveside Services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at the Washington Cemetery. Send online condolences @ www.wilsonlittle.com.