Edward Tomlinson (Tom) Elam

2025. He was born on May 8, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee. His parents were David Frank (Pos) Elam and Billie Ellen Tomlinson Elam.

He attended Christian Brothers High School and Southwestern (Rhodes) College. Tom joined the Air Force where he flew several tours in Vietnam and earned Bronze Stars with Valor, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the Director of Operations for the Cruise Missile Testing before retiring with 22 years of service.

He and his family returned to North Carolina where he earned degrees from North Carolina State University. Tom worked for UNC and the North Carolina Small Business Technology and Development Center. He was serving as President of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, when he was offered a position as the Director of Colorado's Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Upon his retirement, he returned to North Carolina.

Tom enjoyed volunteering with the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts, served on its Board and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award.

He served as a Deacon and an Elder at White Memorial Presbyterian Church and was a Chair on its Habitat for Humanity Committee.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Yarbrough Elam; his daughter, DeAnne (Missy) Elam Mangum (Malcolm); his grandson, Spencer Alexei Mangum; and his granddaughter, Sarah Anne Mangum.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, David Wesson (Wes) Elam.

A Witness to the Resurrection service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Monday, March 24th at 2 pm. The family will receive friends following the service in the Jane Bell Gathering Space at White Memorial. Interment will be in Memphis, TN, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tom's memory to the White Memorial Habitat for Humanity Fund.

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.