Paul Elphingstone

1940 - 2021

Paul Howe Elphingstone, 81, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House at St. Bernards.

Mr. Elphingstone was born June 30, 1940, in La Grange. He was the son of Edwin Aubrey Elphingstone and Mary Madge Howe Elphingstone. Paul graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in mechanical engineering and then worked for Eaton Corporation for more than 20 years. After retirement, Paul traveled the country in his RV with his beloved wife, Melinda, and made friends and had adventures everywhere. The RV frequently stopped near his children and often picked up his grandchildren. Paul always found a fun home repair project to work on when visiting his children. He also found time to attend horse races in Kentucky, and bike races and baseball games in Colorado. He skied well into his 70s, hitting the slopes with his grandchildren. He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

Paul Elphingstone married Melinda Burr in 1965 after meeting on a blind date on Valentine's Day. She survives, along with his son, David Paul and wife Megan of Boulder, Colo., and daughter Suzanne and husband Brian Carpenter of Lawrenceburg, Ky.; a sister, Nancy, of Jonesboro; two brothers, Gene of Jonesboro and Jerry of Little Rock. Two grandchildren also survive, Luke David Elphingstone and John Paul Elphingstone.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Scott, Donald and Joseph; and sisters Madge "Sister" Elphingstone and Jane McClendon.

He loved his family and lived for his time with them.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, The Alzheimer's Association or a favorite charity.

A memorial service will be held on Dec. 27, at 7 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Jonesboro. The family will be available before the memorial to visit at 6 p.m. Mr. Elphingstone's ashes will be interred in the columbarium at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

St. Mark's Church requests all visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.