Ray Elrod
The Dalton Mayor and Council will consider a resolution to rename the City Council Chambers at Dalton’s City Hall in honor of the late Raymond A. “Ray” Elrod, Sr. at their Monday meeting. Mr. Elrod served as Dalton’s mayor from 2000 until 2008 following 12 years as a member of the City Council. He passed away on July 10, 2023 at the age of 85.
A northwest Georgia native, Mayor Elrod graduated from the University of Georgia in 1959 with a degree in psychology, and also performed graduate work at UGA’s Grady College of Journalism before launching a brief newspaper career in Anderson, S.C. His newspaper work brought him to Dalton the next year when he moved with his family to take a job in advertising with the Daily Citizen. After leaving the newspaper business, he was active in the textile industry for more than 60 years as an entrepreneur and business owner.
In his obituary, his family said that his “true passion” was serving the people of Dalton, first as a City Council member for 12 years (1984-1987 and 1991-1999) and as mayor for eight years. During Mayor Elrod’s time in elected office, the city completed a number of projects that changed the face of the community. Those projects included the construction of City Hall as well as the streetscape renovations to downtown Dalton that helped to usher in an era of revitalization in the district.
“Mayor Elrod left a legacy of service to this community both in elected office and as a private citizen that is worthy of this recognition,” said Mayor Annalee Sams. “He loved this community, and he gave more than 20 years of service to make it great.”
“Ray was the definition of ‘Daltonian,’” said City Councilmember and former Mayor Dennis Mock. “He was extremely dedicated to our community and enjoyed serving. Always willing to share his thoughts and experiences during my tenure. A great mentor.”
Resolution 25-06 will be read Monday night designating the Council Chambers as the Raymond A. Elrod, Sr. Council Chambers. The Mayor and Council meet at 6 p.m. on Monday at Dalton City Hall.