Howard Dean "Sonny" Elswick

Howard Dean "Sonny" Elswick passed away on Sun., May 31, 2009 at Clinch Valley Medical Center. He was born at Richlands, Va., on June 3, 1929, the son of Henry Harrison and Laura Harman Elswick. He was a Richlands High School graduate and spent 1947 and 1948 at King College in Bristol and graduated in 1949 from Richmond Professional Institute in Richmond, Va. He then joined the United States Air Force and served in the field of occupational therapy for almost four years. In 1954, he received a degree in Industrial Arts from the Chicago Art Institute. He worked for the Chicago Tribune before moving back to Richmond to teach at Bainbridge Junior High. Due to his parents declining health, he moved back to Richlands, teaching art at Tazewell and then at Richlands Middle School. In all, he taught for 33 years. He received a master's degree from Radford University and retired from teaching in 1991. He was the last member of his immediate family. He was a very silent giver to several organizations, including over one thousand hard back art books to Southwest Virginia Community College. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Elswick family.