He attended school in Starks and graduated in 1952. Elwood worked as a carpenter with his Dad as a boy until he joined the U. S. Army in 1953. He was thankful for his time in the service, even basic training at Fort Chaffee, AR and of the skills he learned at Fort Bliss, TX, where he learned to operate radar guided artillery. He served in Korea from 1954-55.
After he was discharged from the Army, he met Wanda Celeste Yarbrough of Orange, TX on News Year's Eve 1955 and they were married on July 6, 1956.
Elwood was employed by and retired from Texas U. S. Chemical Company in Port Neches, TX.
He loved traveling with his wife, Wanda, and with his lifelong friend, Billy Roy Thompson. They fished the Sabine River and the Gulf, raised bird dogs for quail hunting, and traveled the US all the way to Alaska.
Elwood was a faithful and longtime member and Deacon at Starks First Baptist Church. He was also a long-time member of the Starks Lions Club and grew Christmas trees for fundraising service projects.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wanda Granger; daughter, Debra and husband, Frank Tyler; son, Jeffrey Granger and wife, Pat; and 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held 2pm, Sunday, December 9, 2018 in Starks First Baptist Church. Brother Ron Butler will officiate. Burial will follow at Doyle Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-6pm, Saturday in the Family Life Center of Starks FBC and resume 1- 2pm, Sunday. Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
