Elza was married to the love of his life Martha Mae Edwards Young on March 8, 1952. They were partners in life for 64 years. Many of those as successful business owners of Alpine Chalets Lake Resorts and Alpine BBQ, later known as Dave’s BBQ Restaurant. He was lovingly known to his grands as “Pawpaw”. Elza was a true entrepreneur and worked in many different fields throughout his career. He worked in cattle farming, insurance sales, building houses and property investments. Elza retired after serving as Garland County Constable and Sheriff of Garland County. He came out of retirement to serve as Bailiff for Judge Homer Wright. He continued to manage his rental properties up until his death.
His love of people drew him to community service / volunteer work. He served as a Mason for Hot Springs Masonic Lodge #62, Past President of Oaklawn Lions Club and Past Governor of the Moose Lodge, just to name a few of his philanthropic endeavors.
He was born July 8, 1934 in Hot Springs to the late Garland Monroe and Pearl B. (Newkirk) Young.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha Mae Edwards Young, two infant sons, one infant daughter, Brothers Roscoe Baldwin and Clarence Baldwin and Sisters Olivia Green, Ethel Young and Hester Roberts.
Survivors include his children Sherry Bracy (Mike), Kay Koonce (Marvin Itzkowitz) and Kim Young Vail; 7 grandchildren, John Bracy (Ginni), Stephen Bracy, Nathan Koonce (Kerry), Brent Koonce (Allison), Nyle Koonce (Natalie), Daniel Clatworthy, and Dax Clatworthy; great-grandchildren, Paxton Bracy, Sawyer Bracy, Carson Bracy, Sylvia Koonce, Lucille Mae Koonce, Louis Koonce, Avery Agar, Gentry Agar, Ridge Agar and two great-grandchildren on the way. He is also survived by sister-in-law Margaret Bennett, brother-in-laws Charles Edwards (Judy), Jimmy Edwards (Verna); sister-in-law Alta Baldwin; numerous nieces & nephews; and his beloved Dachshund, Maggie Mae.
Pallbearers are his Grandsons, John, Stephen, Nathan, Brent, Nyle, Daniel and Dax.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Victor Ashy, Donald Bennett, Dr. John Bond, Boys in the Card Room at the Elks Lodge, Mike Bracy, Charles Edwards, Jimmy Edwards, Bruce Garnett, Paul Green, Dr. Randy Hill, Norman Huggins, Q. Byrum Hurst, Marvin Itzkowitz, Dr. Tommy Koonce, Dr. Vasili Lendel, Pat Pultz, Mike Seba, James Sutton, Dr. Wallace Towle, Don Von Hemel, Jerry Wagner, Joe West, and Judge Homer Wright.
The family would like to specially thank Christina, caregiver and cook extraordinaire.
Visitation will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday. Funeral service will be 10:00 am Friday at Gross Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Lamar Trieschmann officiating. Burial will be in Newkirk Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Marble Missionary Baptist Church at PO Box 38, Jessieville, AR 71949, Oaklawn Lions Club at 205 Lary Street, Hot Springs, AR 71913, the Elks Club #380 at 132 Abbott Place, Hot Springs, AR 71913, or a charity of your choice.
