Richard Warren Elam, Sr.

He was a loving husband and father, father-in-law, grandfather and uncle.

Richard is survived by his wife of 68 years Jacquelyn Rankin Elam; son Richard Elam Jr and wife Michelle, grandchildren Michael and wife Anne, great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Mark, and Amber; daughter Danielle and grandchildren Kaylee, Riley, and Alexa; son Chris and wife Destiny, grandchildren Kealey and Winona and son Ryan and fiancé Alix.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews Hue (deceased), Debbie, Marc and Melanie Rankin; Caroline, Danny, and Beth McInnes; Gloria, Larry, Judy, Brenda, and Jerry Robbins; Ken (deceased) and Susan Rankin; Libby and Patsy (deceased) Rankin; Edward Snyder; Randy Rankin and Bobby and Barbara (both deceased) Nelson.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Elam and sister Frances Elam. He was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church and was very involved in the church as an elder, a member of the men’s club and other duties.

Richard proudly served as Corporal in the US Army during the Korean War stationed in Germany, serving from 1950 to 1956.

He worked in the photographic industry for Addressograph Multigraph and J.A Jones Construction Co and earned a BS in Computer Science from ECPI. He was secretary of the LLL and on the board for Camp Lynnhaven. After retiring, Richard was a volunteer at Discovery Place in Downtown Charlotte. He was on the board of review for Boy Scout Troop 47.

Visitation starts at 10am on Monday, August 21, 2023 at Ascension Lutheran Church located at 1225 East Morehead Street in Charlotte. Funeral service will begin at 11am with Rev. Steven Newberg officiating. Burial with Military Honors immediately following at Sharon Memorial Park.

Pallbearers are Michael, Chris, Ryan, and Mark Elam also nephews Danny McInnes and Edward Snyder.