Gerald Cecil Elliott passed away peacefully in the Pikes Peaks Hospice unit at the Penrose/St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs after a sudden stroke on March 30, 2023. He died on April 14, 2023, which was one day after his 79th birthday.
Jerry, as his friends and family called him, was born in a rural area on the north side of Fort Collins, Colorado, to Cecil O. Elliott and Velma (Spaeth) Elliott. Jerry was the youngest of his five older siblings. He grew up on his parent’s dairy farm. Though Jerry was not fond of milking cows, he loved being outdoors and working with his father as he learned to fix farm equipment, irrigate, and harvest the crops. He was a Boy Scout and enjoyed camping, fishing, and shooting his .22 rifle.
Jerry Elliott attended all twelve years of school in La Porte, Colorado. He graduated from the La Porte High School in 1962. The following year after graduation, Jerry enlisted in the U. S. Army on September 12, 1963. He was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for training in aircraft maintenance. He was then sent to Vietnam. He flew on planes that transferred troops at times, but mainly the crew flew supplies to the troops on the ground. War had not been declared at that time so the enemy could shoot at the U.S. troops, but they could not shoot back. Jerry talked about replacing an engine on a downed plane in the middle of a field with bullets flying by. He stated that it was a very terrifying experience, and he definitely did not tarry. On another occasion, Jerry had stood up to tighten something on the other side of the plane and a bullet came up through the seat where he had been sitting. He stated that he always sat on a bulletproof vest after that incident. Jerry was exposed to Agent Orange when he was on the ground repairing planes or unloading supplies which caused him several health problems later in his life. From Vietnam, Jerry was transferred to Germany. He saved up his leave time so that he could visit various countries in the region. Jerry went to Rome, Italy; Paris, France; Denmark; London, England; and Austria. Jerry learned to ski in Switzerland. Jerry Elliott was honorably discharged on August 29, 1966.
Jerry Elliott met Linda Coleman from Westcliffe, Colorado, in November of 1966. Linda was a freshman at Colorado State University. They met at the El Dorado which was a popular country/western dance club for the college students and the locals. In April of 1967, Jerry and Linda were engaged and they were married on December 23, 1967, at the Hope Lutheran Church in Westcliffe, Colorado. The couple celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary last year.
In 1976, Linda’s grandparents, Lea and Celesta Adams, asked Jerry and Linda if they would be interested in moving to Westcliffe to help them build their new home and to help with putting up their hay. Jerry and Linda had just bought the property next to Jerry’s parent’s farm. The couple had also just built a brand-new home and a barn. Jerry, however, had a job that was indoors and he hated it, so everything was packed up and moved to Westcliffe on October 26, 1976. Linda was overjoyed to be back home, and Jerry was excited about being outside farming again. Jerry has been putting up hay (and sometimes fighting Mother Nature) for the last 47 years. He was happiest when he was taking a full load of top-grade hay to the barn on the bale wagon.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda; his four children: David (Tammy) Elliott – Westcliffe, Colorado, Robert “Bobby” (Molly) Elliott – Van Nuys, California, Brenda (Terry) Ammons – Chanute, Kansas, and Tami (Aaron) Spatziani – Thornton, Colorado. He has 13 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Jerry had two surviving brothers, Jackson (Norma) Elliott of Cañon City, Colorado, and Raymond (Gayle) Elliott of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jerry also has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jerry Elliott was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Thomas and James; and his sister: Donetta Moore.
The funeral services will be at the Cowboy Church at 60260 North Highway 69 in Westcliffe, Colorado at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023. After the service, interment is at the Rosita Cemetery on 5834 Rosita Road/County Road 328. A luncheon will be served for family and friends at the Rancher’s Roost (Bowling Alley) around 12 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.
Clara Mary Reida died Sunday, March 19, 2023, at her home following a lingering illness. She was 85.
Kevin’s story is one of addiction, heartache, and redemption. The community should enter the EAST GYM door and the meeting will be in the commons. All are welcome to join the FCA group for its last meeting and special speaker. See you Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the HS Commons (enter the East Gym door).
