Gerald E. Elliott, age 83, of Caldwell, Ohio, died Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Genesis Hospital in Zanesville. He was born August 13, 1939, in Rich Valley, Sharon Township, son of the late Rolland Parks and Pearl Ramsey Elliott. He was raised on a twenty-acre farm in Sharon Township, moving to Caldwell in 1958. Gerald attended Forest Grove High School and graduated from Belle Valley High School in 1957. He was employed by McVay Funeral Home and Furniture Store in Caldwell and retired as an Investigator-3 for the Ohio Department of Mental Health. He also worked for over 20 years as a cashier for Randy Clark and Associates Auctioneers. He was a member of First Church of Christ in Caldwell, where he served as a deacon and sang in the choir. He was a 60-year Mason, being a Past Master of Noble Lodge #459 F&AM, and a member of Sharon Lodge #136 F&AM. He was a 46-year Eastern Star, being past Worthy Patron of Amazon Chapter #30 OES and was a member of Guernsey Chapter #211 OES. He was also a Valley of Cambridge AASR 32 degree Mason. Gerald was a member of the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years, serving as treasurer for most of that time. The fire department was his pride and joy. He was active on the Noble County Recreation Committee, having helped organize Little League baseball, basketball and football programs. He played softball, basketball and bowled in various local leagues. He will be remembered for his faithful presence operating the score clock for Caldwell High School basketball, football, and volleyball games and keeping the scorebook for Caldwell High School boys basketball for many years. Gerald was a longtime member of Noble County Performing Arts. He touched many lives, young and old, and he never met a stranger. He was the proud recipient of the Director’s Community Service Award from the Noble County Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Masonic Grand Master’s Award for Community Service.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Frela I. Harmon McKee; and a brother-in-law, Herb Hurst.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia A. Reed Elliott, whom he married August 3, 1991; his children, Tamela S. “Tammy” (Michael) Zwick of Summerfield, Peggy S. (Patrick) Forshey of Howard, and Dean E. (Valerie) Elliott of Orlando, Florida; a sister, Lois Ann Hurst of Caldwell; 8 grandchildren, Tiffany, Cole, Ashley, Dara, Mattea, Andrew, Michael-Scott and Joshua-Cristian; 6 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, James (Diane) Reed of Sarahsville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call Friday, July 21, 2023, from 4-8PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where a Masonic service will follow visitation at 8PM. The funeral service will be observed on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 11AM with Pastor Brent DeWees officiating. Burial will follow at Olive Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department, 215 West Street, P.O. Box 24, Caldwell, Ohio, or to the First Church of Christ Building Fund, 601 North Street, Caldwell, Ohio, 43724.
