Karl Leroy Elliott

Karl Leroy Elliott, “Lee” to many, “Karl” to some, and “Leroy” to others, passed away on August 28, 2023, four days before his 84th birthday after a brief illness at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette, Colorado, surrounded by his family. Lee was born on September 1, 1939, in Longmont, Colorado to Samuel Karl and Doris Helen (Walker) Elliott. He was the second of their four children: Margaret, Lee, Bernie, and Connie.

Lee was raised on the family dairy farm in Longmont and shared many memories of his youth, including milking cows and walking a mile to school in town, both from an early age. He had fond memories of participating in 4-H and FFA and showing his prized Jersey cow, Daisy. He attended Longmont High School and after graduation attended Colorado State University, where he and his brother Bernie who also attended lived and worked together.

Lee met Mary Beth (Liz) Motherwell on a blind date at the Federal Theater in Denver when Bernie’s date set him up with her “pretty friend”. This began their courtship just days after he joined the Navy and was stationed in San Diego. How Lee loved his time in the Navy and spoke often and fondly of his service throughout his life.

On a very snowy February 25, 1962, Lee and Liz were married at the Chapel of the Angels in Denver, Colorado. Lee purchased a 1958 Ford sedan, and they packed their wedding gifts. They drove to San Diego and lived there while Lee honorably completed his Navy service. After his discharge in 1963 they returned home to Colorado where they bought their first home in Westminster and started their family in close proximity to their extended family. When the older boys were in junior high school, they moved to their forever home where they raised their sons to adulthood. The family spent many weekends camping in the Rockies, and Lee attended and volunteered at too many of his sons’ baseball, basketball, and football games to count.

After his Naval career, he began his career with AT&T and made many lifelong friends at work. He was a friend, mentor and advocate for his employees. Lee took early retirement from AT&T when he was 50, which allowed him to spend more time with his children and especially his grandchildren. He and

Liz joined the Pioneers of America, an AT&T service organization, where he served as president for a time, and they maintained many of their AT&T friendships. Lee always grew a spectacular vegetable garden and kept a beautiful yard. In retirement he and Liz traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. He also managed the family’s farming operations until his death.

Lee was a strong Christian man and was an active member and head usher of the Westminster United Methodist Church and later the Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Broomfield, again creating many lasting friendships. He and Liz raised their children in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it was a defining influence for him throughout his life.

As a family we offer a heartfelt thanks to the wonderful medical staff at Good Samaritan ICU and the Medical/Surgical Unit for their kind, tender, and excellent care of Lee during his final days.

Lee is survived by his beautiful and loving wife, Liz, and his children, Curtis (Lyn) Elliott, Longmont, Colorado; Rod (Cindy) Elliott, Cary, Illinois; Dean (Michele) Elliott, Thornton, Colorado; and Jason (Corinne) Elliott, Paris, France. He is the proud grandfather of Holly (Adam) Fix, Heidi (Jeremy) Hamlin, Jeff (Lisa) Elliott, Johnny (Hannah) Elliott, Hope (Michael) Svendsen, Michael Elliott, Alex Elliott, Ryan Elliott, Audrey Elliott, Riley Elliott, and Reegan Elliott. He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, his sister Connie (Ken) Meze, his sister-in-law Jackie Elliott, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Doris Elliott; and his siblings Margaret (Don) Schuetz and Bernie Elliott.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Church located at 12700 N. Sheridan Blvd., Broomfield, Colorado, followed by a luncheon at the church for family and friends of Lee. A viewing will be at 9am prior to the interment with military honors at 11 am on Tuesday September 5th at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 7777 West 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colorado.