Bobby "Bob" Dean Elrod, Sr.
Bobby "Bob" Dean Elrod, Sr., 82, died peacefully at his home on February 24, 2023.
He was born October 6, 1940, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of the late Charles Valentine and Lillian (Couch) Elrod.
Bob attended Kirkman Technical High School. Following high school, he went to work as a freight truck driver, driving for Roadway (YRC) for nearly 50 years. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious 5 Million Mile Safe Driving Award, one of only a small group to obtain this recognition. Bob was a very proud and active member of Teamsters’ International serving as job steward for a number of years. In addition, he worked as a firefighter, starting the volunteer fire department in Chattanooga Valley where he served as the assistant fire chief. During his years as a truck driver, Bob became acquainted with several Indy Race Car teams and transported race cars all over the country which became a passion and pastime for him. He loved helping crew in the pit and being involved in the action.
One of life’s greatest pleasures for him was supporting his sons and grandchildren at various sporting events whether it was football, baseball, basketball, wrestling or softball. Whenever he was in attendance, his voice could be heard shouting and cheering for a victory!
Bob was married to the love of his life, Martha Laura (Everett) Elrod for over 64 years and leaves behind two sons, Bobby Dean Elrod, Jr. (Susan),and Brian Wesley Elrod (Jamey). He was predeceased by a twin sister, Robbie Jean Elrod, sister, Linda Sue Stewart, two brothers, Charles Elrod and Jimmy Elrod. He is survived by two sisters, Wanda Smith and Juanita Reed, five grandchildren, Brittany Laurel Elrod, Kimberly Meghan White (Evan), Weston Brown Elrod, London O’donnell Elrod, and Jamison “Crew” Elrod, one great-granddaughter, Emilia Rose White, and several beloved sister and brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 4, at Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe, from 12-2 p.m. with a graveside service to be at Tennessee-Georgia Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CHI Memorial Foundation Rees Skillern Cancer Institute.
Special thanks to the nurses and staff of TN Oncology especially his doctor, Davey Daniels, Mandy and Dr. Hoffman from Diabetic University, and the Lung Center’s Dr. Bahre and nurse practitioner, Bethany Condra, and a very special hospice nurse, Laurie.