Jimmie Darrell Elliot

Jimmie Darrell Elliott passed from this earth October 18, 2023. He was 87 years old. He was born September 29, 1936 in Aline Oklahoma to parents Alvin Earnest Elliott and Elida Jane (Morris) Elliott. His father and mother married in 1934 and raised their seven children in Wichita KS. Jimmie's father died at the age of 41 in 1955 of a massive heart attack. His mother later moved back to Aline Oklahoma and married Raymond Dillard in 1958 who had three children of his own. The family grew to seven boys and three girls all together. Kudos to Elida and Raymond! This could have been where the phrase, wish I could bottle their energy came from!! As a kid Jimmie loved to play baseball and his love for sports continued into adulthood.
He married Lorene (Jantz) in 1958 in Cleo Springs Oklahoma and became the proud parents of Theresa in 1963. In 1966 the three of them moved from Oklahoma to Oregon for employment opportunities. They were blessed with the adoption of Tim in 1969. Jimmie worked various jobs in McMinnville and surrounding areas including at the creamery, janitorial work for his uncle and eventually landed a job at the Steel Mill where he retired after 28 years in 1998. He made a point to never be late and we used to laugh because he would leave an hour early. He was an active union member and was proud of the contributions the union made to local schools. Lorene worked for Jimmie's aunt and uncle in their cafe when they first moved to Oregon and then used her cooking, cleaning, and sewing skills to manage the household. For fun Jimmie liked to fish, hunt and watch sports. He and Lorene enjoyed playing cards with friends and belonged to a bowling league. They traveled back to Oklahoma every two years to maintain family relationships. Jimmie liked to tease and was a hoot to be around, everyone who met him remembered him. He was proud to be an Okie and never lost his Southern accent or phrases. He served in the Army for three years and he was extremely proud of his son's military service. Jimmie met his friend, Mel, from Wales while serving in Korea who found Jimmie's mom's address 30 years later and reconnected; this was a highlight of Jimmie's life and they remained friends visiting one another over the years from that point on. After Jimmie retired he did gardening and woodworking as a hobby and attended his grandchildren's and nieces and nephews extracurricular activities every chance he got. Jimmie was proud to assist the elementary ukulele teacher and the highschool age rugby coach. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments in life and his love for them never waivered. He and Lorene and children attended Christian Gospel Assemblies Church; in their later years he and Lorene greeted members and guests at the door. Jimmie survived many losses and overcame many challenges including a work injury at the steel mill and pancreatic cancer to name a couple. He is survived by his sister Kay Thurman, brother Ted Dillard, daughter Theresa Scroeder and Karl, son Tim Elliott and Paula, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin, Elida, and Raymond, his wife, Lorene, his brothers, Doyle, Dick, Gary, Freddie (Charlie), Billy, and his sisters Peggy, and Sue. Jimmie's wish was to be laid to rest next to his wife and he did not want a funeral service. His preference was for his life to be celebrated by his family and friends as they see fit. A gathering will take place at Pike's Cemetery November 11 2023 at 11am to celebrate his life and his reunion with his wife and those who went before him.