Wallace Wally B. Elms

Wallace Bailey Elms, 86,Henderson,Nevada, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at theSt.RoseHospital, after an extended illness. Wallace (Wally), was born inAltus,OKon December 29, 1926 to John "Blackie" Elms and Mae Bailey Elms,( both deceased) and was an only child. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary, son Clark and wife Denise, grand children Brady(16), Connor (12) and Ally (10), sister-in-law, Grace Guyette, and cousins, nieces, and nephews. Wallace moved with his parents toCarlsbad,New Mexicoat an early age where he grew up and graduated fromCarlsbadHigh Schoolin 1944. After service inGermanywith the Army, Wallace graduated fromNew MexicoStateUniversityinLas Cruces,New Mexico. He was then employed by the National Park Service atCarlsbad CavernsNational Park, and then on to a 38 year career with the NPS, closing out as the Superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National Park until his retirement in 1992. Mary served as the Director of the Carlsbad Municipal Library for several years and taught kindergarten inNevadawhile Wally was protectingFortJeffersonduring the Cuban crisis, when the fort was occupied by the Military for three months jammingCuba's communications and sending Voice of America broadcasts from there. Elm's career began at Carlsbad Caverns, then he transferred toLake Mead, met Mary Fuller working at the Park Concession, and they married in 1960. They then transferred to manage Fort Jefferson off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico, then on to the Black Hills of South Dakota's Wind Cave, Jewel Cave and Mount Rushmore, where as Chief Ranger, he helped develop an Indian Park Service on the Sioux Rosebud Reservation. Clark was born while at Mount Rushmore, after which they moved to Herbert Hoover Birthplace,Iowa, then Superintendent atHopewell Village,Pa.,Petersburg National Battlefield,Va.,Valley Forge NP,Pa., then back to Carlsbad Caverns where he retired in 1992. Wally was active in Rotary, Elks, Lions, and NARFE, the Presbyterian church and many local boards and committees. The Elm's loved to travel in their RV, and visit all National Park areas near where they would travel. There will be a Memorial Service at the Palm Mortuary 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV, Saturday, Nov. 2 at 10:00 am, followed by burial of cremains at theBoulderCityCemetery,Boulder City,Nevada. In Lieu of flowers, you are asked to make a donation in Wally's name to the E&AA Scholarship Fund (NPS Employees & Alumni Association) at E&AA, Eastern National,470 Maryland Drive, Suite 1,Fort Washington,PA19034. Condolences may be expressed at Palm Mortuary's Website (wwwpalmmortuary.com).