Robert William Augustus Elrod

Robert William Elrod passed away on February 2, 2017 at the age of 79. He was born in Jacksonville on October 7, 1937 as the first son of Alonzo M. Elrod and Mildred L. Elrod. He attended local schools and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1955. While a teenager, he served as a Page in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Charles Bennett. He attended college at the University of Florida, received a B.A. in 1959 and was a lifelong Gator football fan. After college, he returned to Washington, obtained a Master’s Degree from George Washington University in International Affairs and later worked at the Pentagon for the U.S. Department of Defense. After his time in Washington, he returned to the University of Florida and received his Juris Doctor in 1965. Following his admission to the Florida Bar in 1966, he served as an Assistant to the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee from 1966 to 1968. He then worked as a local prosecutor in the State Attorney's Office from 1968 to 1970 and later served as a Municipal Judge in Jacksonville Beach from 1971 to 1974. He was a member of the Florida Bar for over 50 years and had been in private practice focusing primarily on family law cases for many years. Since 1999, he practiced law with his son, Robert Elrod, Jr., who is very grateful for the friendship, wise counsel and training which his father gave him. Over the years, he helped many local families through difficult legal problems and he always enjoyed getting to know his many clients.

He was married in 1971 to Janice Kay Crawley and together they had two sons, Robert W. Elrod, Jr. (Cayla) and John D. Elrod (Heath). He was happiest in a room full of his family and particularly loved and was proud of his 6 grandchildren, Robert, John, Emily, Mac, Caroline and Elizabeth. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Warren H. Elrod. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and nephew Richard W. Elrod (Karen). He was known as Bob, Dad, Papa and Uncle Bob and will be dearly missed by all.

He was raised in the Methodist Church in Jacksonville and was most recently a member of Ortega United Methodist Church. When he was no longer able to attend church in person, he enjoyed watching the services on his phone and the many visits he received from the pastors of Ortega United Methodist Church. His family is grateful to God for his life and to his caregivers for their love and assistance. He is now with the Lord and his family in Heaven enjoying a wonderful reunion.

The family will receive friends at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd. on Monday, February 6, 2017 between 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held at Ortega United Methodist Church, 4807 Roosevelt Blvd., on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 11am. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardagegiddensoaklawn.com.