Elliott Estes Ransom

Elliott Estes Ransom, Jr., devoted husband of 60 years, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, rancher, and professional engineer passed peacefully into our Lord's realm on January 11, 2009. Elliott, eldest son of Elliott Estes Ransom, Sr. and Frances Little Ransom, was born in Houston, Texas, on February 8, 1926. As a third generation Houstonian, Elliott graduated from Lamar High School in 1943 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He qualified for an accelerated college program and in 32 consecutive months graduated from Yale University with a BE in Mechanical Engineering and a Second Lieutenant Commission. The end of World War II changed his plans for career military service, and he entered civilian life and joined the Marine Forces Reserve. He returned home to Houston to work for Coastal Equipment, where he pursued his interest in refrigeration and air conditioning design. Progressing to chief engineer, he obtained his Professional Engineer's license. On August 21, 1948, he married Mary Margaret Carr in Floresville, Texas. Their romance began on a double blind date, but they were not the matched couple that day. However, Elliott's keen interest in the girl in the rear view mirror grew into a lifelong love affair. He wrote that their marriage was 'the best of his few "very smart" moves in life.' The 60-year union of Elliott and Margaret stands as a shining example to their five children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. In 1950, Elliott was recalled by the Marine Corps to serve in the Korean War. Elliott and Margaret's plan to move into their new home was put on hold until he returned from Korea in 1952 with the rank of Captain. Elliott resumed his career in the air conditioning business and eventually joined the J. R. Hobbs Air Conditioning Company in 1961 as a sales engineer. In 1962, he became a partner and the vice president of sales. He successfully specialized in multiple dwelling central system applications, both gas and electric powered. He served as president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, presented papers at professional societies, and helped develop the city of Houston's air conditioning code and licensing rules. In 1969, he traveled to the North and Irish Seas as a special consultant on offshore drilling rigs, leading the redesign of the heating and cooling systems. In 1972, Elliott opened a branch of J. R. Hobbs in Orlando, Florida and obtained one of the state's first Class "A" Air Conditioning licenses. In 1974, he returned to Freeport, Texas, and set up a branch that specialized in industrial-chemical plant air conditioning. In 1975, he returned to the Houston office as General Manager until his "retirement" on March 1, 1984. Elliott and Margaret acquired their family ranch near Cedar Creek, Texas, in 1977. Fulfilling his life-long dream, Elliott launched his second career as a rancher, acquiring both cattle and horses with great enthusiasm. Joining the Cedar Creek United Methodist Church, Elliott was soon elected chairman of the Trustees and to the Administrative Council. He served passionately as the general contractor for both the Church Fellowship Hall and Cedar Creek Child Care Center additions. Elliott also served the Bastrop community as a member of the Wells Fargo Bank Citizen's Board, Bastrop County Appraisal District Citizen's Advisory Review Board, and the "For the Children" Bastrop ISD bond election. Elliott was affectionately known as "Bub" to his sister and late brother and "Big E" to his family and friends. "Epa," as the next three generations have known him, loved his family and devoted himself to them with every ounce of his amazing strength and energy. He loved overcoming challenges and tackled life with faith, optimism, intelligence, confidence, and humor. He and Margaret were so generous with their love, support, and acceptance. Elliott had a lot to give and gave abundantly. All who knew him were comforted by his warm smile, firm handshake, welcoming nature, and the twinkle in his eye - even to the very end. He is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret; daughter Margie and husband Daryl McCloskey of Cedar Creek; son Elliott E. "Sonny" Ransom of Cedar Creek; daughter Joan and husband Sam Carruthers of Austin, Texas; son William Howard Ransom and wife Cid of McKinney, Texas; son Daniel Grier Ransom and wife Chris of College Station, Texas; sister Jane and husband Gerald Creasy; cousins: Jim Bill Little and wife Nancy, Jack Little and wife Gayle, Sherry Walker and husband Robert, Sue Pruitt and husband Ross, and John G. Little, Jr.; grandchildren: Katie McCloskey, Mike McCloskey, Daryl McCloskey, Jr. and wife Michelle, Eric Ransom, Kyle Ransom, Hayden Ransom, Brian Ransom, Joseph Brittain Ransom, Jordan Ransom, and Russell Elliott Ransom; and great-grandchildren: Brett, Scottie, and Lila McCloskey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elliott "Big Pop" Estes Ransom, Sr., and Frances "Mimi" Little Ransom and his brother Robert Grier Ransom. The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday, January 16, 2009, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 2602 S. Congress, Austin, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on January 17, 2009, at the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel with a luncheon immediately following the service. A graveside service will be held at the Upper Cedar Creek Cemetery at 2:30 P.M. with a reception following at the Cedar Creek United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 3:30 P.M. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to those who cared for Epa, our patriarch, with so much love and devotion over the past few years. We especially thank Visiting Angels Olga and Elena and the wonderful staffs of the Park at Beckett Meadows, An Angel's Place, and Hospice Austin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Creek United Methodist Church, Cedar Creek Cemetery Association, or Hospice Austin.