John F. Elam

John Francis Elam, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and faithful servant of the Lord, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, at the age of 95.

John was born on October 25, 1930, in the Township of Grandview, Illinois, to Richard F. Elam and Elva Boyer Elam. As a teenager, he moved to Baytown, Texas, where he would spend the majority of his life and where he met the love of his life, Annie Lula Floyd. They shared an extraordinary 73 years of marriage, building a life grounded in love, faith, and devotion to family.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Annie Lula "Lou" Elam; his daughter, Amy Lou Elam Collins, and her husband, Wally; his son, John F. Elam Jr., and his wife, Tracy; five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren, all of whom were a great source of pride and joy to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Norma Jean Curran.

John dedicated his professional life to hard work and service. He worked for General Tire, then spent 26½ years at Ashland Chemical as a machinist, and later retired from Exxon as a Safety Coordinator for Butyl Polymers. His strong work ethic, integrity, and commitment to safety earned him the respect of coworkers throughout his career. He also proudly served in the National Guard, reflecting his sense of duty and service to others.

A man of deep and unwavering faith, John loved the Lord and lived his life guided by Christian values. He served as a deacon at Wooster Baptist Church and later at Memorial Baptist Church, where he also taught Sunday School for many years. His faith touched everyone he met. John truly never met a stranger and had a gift for making others feel welcomed and valued.

Music was one of John's greatest joys. Blessed with a beautiful baritone voice, he sang in the church choir and frequently shared his gift through service solos, lifting hearts through song and worship.

John was devoted to his family and actively involved in the lives of his children. He served as a Little League coach and was always present and supportive in their activities. He was known as a kind and generous man, freely giving of his time and talents. He volunteered at the local library, helping those in need with annual income tax filing, quietly serving his community with patience and compassion.

He loved the outdoors and found peace in nature. John especially enjoyed birdwatching, trips to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountains, and following NASCAR and the Indianapolis 500.

John Francis Elam leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, service, and love. His life was a blessing, and his memory will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved him.