Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Peter Elliott Obituary
Elliott
loving father and grandfather, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 in Canton, Ohio. He was born on Sept. 29, 1926 in Bloomington, Ill. to the late J. Norman and Alice (Marquis) Elliott. He served in the United States Navy's V-12 program during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. Pete graduated from the University of Michigan in 1949 and married his college sweetheart and wife of 58 years, Joan (Slater) Elliott. At Michigan, he was an All-American football player helping lead the Wolverines to back-to-back national championships in 1947 and 1948. He was the only Michigan athlete ever to earn twelve varsity letters playing football, basketball and golf. Pete was also awarded the Big Ten's Medal of Honor for Athletic and Scholastic Achievement. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. Pete's college and professional coaching career began in 1949 at Oregon State University and in 1951 he became a member of the staff at the University of Oklahoma whose teams began the longest winning streak in college football history. In 1956, at the age of 29, he was hired as the head coach at the University of Nebraska, and a year later named head coach at the University of California taking them to their last Rose Bowl appearance in 1959. In 1960, he assumed the head coaching duties at the University of Illinois leading the Illini to their last Rose Bowl win in 1964. In 1973, he became the head coach and athletic director at the University of Miami (Florida) and in 1978 he joined the coaching staff of the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1979, he was appointed the executive director of the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He retired from that post in 1996 as its longest serving director and remained a member of the HOF Board of Directors.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Cheryl Elliott of Ann Arbor, Mich. and David and Peggy Elliott of Boardman, Ohio; four granddaughters, Catherine (Jonathan) Moore of Savage, Minn., Jennifer Elliott of Chicago, Ill., Christina (Jansen) Jacobsen of Canton, Ohio, and Courtney Elliott of Portland, Ore.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Chalmers 'Bump' and Barbara Elliott of Iowa City, Iowa and James and Mary Elliott of Bloomington, Ill.; and special friend, Jane Lauritzen of Canton, Ohio.
Services will be held in Canton on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Tom Houston officiating. Burial will be Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 at 1 p.m. in Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor, Mich. Friends may call Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 from 3-6 p.m. at the Lamiell Funeral Home in Canton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Professional Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees' Assistance Fund, The Aultman Hospital Foundation or your local American Red Cross Chapter. Condolences may be made to:
www.lamiellfuneralhome.com
(Lamiell 330-456-7375)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Elliott
Judge John Milligan
January 11, 2013
Pete, truly a man for all seasons. If more people would meet, greet, and treat people the way Pete always did, this would be a much more joyful world. Blessings to the all who knew and respected him.
Jim Mueller
January 10, 2013
I met Pete when he was at the University of Miami and I was a young sportscaster at the local CBS affiliate. He was then and remained one of the nicest and kindest human beings I've ever known. Pete always made you feel you were important to him and that he valued your friendship. I certainly valued his and will miss him greatly.
William A Clark
January 9, 2013
Bruce and David, I send my sincere condolences. Pete was my great friend and roommate at Sigma Chi in 1948. Pete was just "great" in every way, humble yet successful in all he did. He touched everyone with his gracious manner and made one brightened by his personality. At the 1998 Rose Bowl reunion of the 1947 Michigan team before my family members he said I was "Michigan's best quarterback ever pound for pound," which was preposterous, but much appreciated. I will miss Pete so much and his ability to make anyone feel comfortable being with him. He was so proud of you boys, Joan and his granddaughters as I am sure you know. Best wishes.
Bob Easter
January 9, 2013
My deepest symathies go to the Coach Pete Elliot family,I had the great pleasure of playing for Coach at the U of I. Hewas a very great man and very honest.I wish I could be with you Friday to remeber a great man's life,but I am in treatment for cancer and I must attend a treatment in Peoria. I will be thinking of him and will say prayer for him. Again he was one of the greatest men in my life.
Geoffrey Steger
January 9, 2013
Bruce and Dave, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your families. Your Dad was a special guy and had a big influence on my life. He will be missed but never forgoten. Geoff
SMSgt Larry Brooks
January 9, 2013
To the former head football coach of the University of Nebraska. Your year as the head coach will be remembered as a positive influence on the Cornhusker history. Thank you for your dedication and service....you will be remembered.
Scott Glover
January 8, 2013
Dave and Bruce :
I'm sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great guy. He remained a great friend to my mom and dad until their deaths. Joanie and Pete were a great team.
January 7, 2013
On behalf of my family, our deepest sympathies to The Elliot Family for the loss of their beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Our father, Jack Raymond, must certainly have known both Pete and Bump from their days at Purdue in 1943 and 1944 and perhaps beyond. Though all three went their separate ways after their service in World War II, Pete's and Bump's names were always prominent as Dad and I would listen to (or watch a rare telecast) Wisconsin Badger football games when they played either Illinois or Michigan. When the Fighting 'Illini and the Wolverines won back-to-back Rose Bowls in 1964 and 1965, Dad sent a congratulatory note to each of his friends; no one was more impressed than I was to see a response from each man on their school's letterhead. Those are good memories for all of us. We are blessed to know that Dad had such great friends as Pete and Bump at a perilous time in their lives and though their paths never crossed again after 1943-1944, we hope all of you know comfort, peace, and strength all these years later.
Todd Gabbett
January 7, 2013
Coach,
RIP
Todd Gabbett
Dick Tate
January 7, 2013
Coach defined the word charisma. He was very humble as one would not know of his many accomplishments in life unless from others and had a gift of making you feel as though you were the most important person at that time Former player
Bill Freeze
January 6, 2013
To Dave, Bruce and all of the Elliott Family,
Your Dad and Grandfather was one of the great men of the 20th Century. What he did as an athlete and later as coach and head of the NFL Hall of Fame will always be remembered by friends and fans. For the most part what he did as the leader of the Elliott Family will always be cherished by you. You had a special father and grand-dad, but then you know that because you were with with him and knew how proud he was of you all and how much he loved you!Pete taught the Golden Rule by the way he lived his life and after all the records and awards that is what is most important....and Coach Pete Elliott knew that! God bless you in this time of his passing...I will always remember him and the encouragement he gave me.
God bless you all....
Bill Freeze
Ron Acks
January 6, 2013
Pete was a great coach and even better man. He was beloved by his ex-players!
Bob Latz
January 6, 2013
I am so happy that I was considered a friend of this delightful,kind, thoughtful, funny man. God Bless Pete.
Bart and Linda Lee
January 6, 2013
What a blessing to have known such a wonderful man. Working with him from his first year in Canton was truly a pleasure for us. We will always remember that great smile and hearty laugh. Our deepest sympathy to Pete's family.
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Peter Elliott's name
Memorial Events
for Peter Elliott
How to support Peter's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Peter Elliott's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
