Rex Elmore
Rex Kenneth Elmore, 81, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away at a local hospital on Sunday, July 17.
He was born June 20, 1941, the son of the late R.K. and Frances Elmore, Chattanooga. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Collins Elmore, of 34 years.
Rex is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Patti Schultz Elmore, Chattanooga. Son, Richie Elmore (Karen), Cookeville, Tenn. Daughter, Mista Elmore Gallmon (Jeff), Dalton, Ga.; grandchildren, Shelby Wilson Moore (Cody), Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Connor Wilson, Dalton, Ga., Emily Elmore, Cookeville, Tenn., Annalee Gallmon, Dalton, Ga. Three step-granddaughters, Jessica Gallmon, Dalton, Ga., Kaila Hawkins (Tyler), Chatsworth, Ga., and Jenna Gallmon, Dalton, Ga.; six great-grandchildren.
Rex graduated Central High School in 1959. He was a platoon leader, sergeant and lieutenant in the ROTC. After graduation, Rex attended UTC, then McKenzie College, acquiring a degree in Automated Accounting in 1962. He was active in baseball, basketball and boxed in the local Golden Gloves light-weight division.
During high school, Rex began working for his father at Elmore’s Gulf Station on Ringgold Road in East Ridge, and would continue to work there part-time until returning full-time in 1970. Immediately after college, Rex worked in advertising for Sears Roebuck; sold farm equipment for several years (salesman of the year 1963); worked as a deputy sheriff for J.D. Stewart, Catoosa County, Ga., and worked at Tower Credit and Avco Financial Services for a while. He also worked at Super Tufter Machine Company as a draftsman and sold batteries for Causey Battery Company in Chattanooga. He opened the first interstate Gulf Station in Ooltewah, Tn., and then opened the first Bradley County Interstate Gulf Station. In 1970, Rex went back full time to Elmore’s Gulf Station to manage the day-to-day operations of the family-owned business until his retirement in 2016.
Rex was a member of many civic organizations throughout his career, and chair of many fundraising committees, including vice president of the Lakeview Jaycees; charter member of the Fort Oglethorpe Optimist Club (vice president, president and Optimist of the Year in 1970, and Lt. Governor of the Optimist Club of Georgia). Rex was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, #755, East Ridge, Tenn., (since 1962), and a lifetime member of the Alhambra Shrine (since 1965) serving the following roles: Director of units, crippled children; Chairman, Mosque Board, Publicity Chairman, first chairman of the Shriner’s Bass Tournament. National Imperial Shrine public relations committee; charter member and first lifetime member of the Order of the Q. He was recognized as Shriner of the Year twice. He was elected as Potentate in 1999; president of the Tennessee Shrine Association 1998-99; he was also a member of the York Rite and Scottish Rite.
Rex was a member of the Central High School (CHS) Alumni Association, and chairman of the golf tournament (seven years) established to resurrect the CHS Alumni Association. He was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from CHS. Rex was a charter member of the Grim Reaper Hot Rod Club, which operated out of the Hixson Drag Strip. He raced drag cars for Ford, NASCAR division, from 1965-1970; In the 70s, Rex was a member of the Tennessee Retail Gas Dealers Association; he was also president of the Indian Springs Community Club, Graysville, Ga.
Rex’s greatest enjoyment besides being with his family was raising funds for the different organizations that enhanced the lives of children.
Rex’s favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing, stock car racing, NASCAR, UTC and UT sports programs.
The family will hold a celebration of life on Saturday, July 23, from 6-8 p.m., at Oaks Coffee House, 2916 Silverdale Road, Chattanooga, Tn.
Arrangements by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Chatsworth, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any donations to go to the Transportation Fund of the Alhambra Shrine of Chattanooga, 1000 Alhambra Dr., Chattanooga, Tn., 37421.