James Elmer Obituary

Elmer Sr., James E. 84, of Elmersville, near Sedona, AZ., died June 27, 2006. James was the oldest of three sons of Jessie Jeanette and Jesse James Elmer, who were early pioneers to the Sedona area, homesteading on the lower Red Rock Loop Road. During World War II, while serving in the Marine Corps, James met his wife, Antoinette in Chicago, where they raised their family in the Mt. Greenwood area, and finally retired back to Elmersville (Sedona, AZ.) in the early 1980's , where he spent hours teaching friends and grandchildren how to horseback ride. James retired from the Grand Truck Western Railroad, but also spent many years restoring cars, which later became a hobby he shared with his children. He spent many hours fishing and boating with his kids. Grandpa was always ready to pull another skier behind his boat. One of his delights he shared with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren are his model trains running throughout his home. James fought a valiant fight with health issues the last several years of his life, but maintained his graceful spirit of determination to the end. James will be remembered for his kind, quiet, loving demeanor and leaves behind millions of wonderful memories, along with seven children: James E. Elmer, Jr. (Marcy) of Clarkdale, Arizona, Terry Elmer of Tinley Park, IL., Merry Carol Shanks (Gerald) of Cornville, AZ., Ron Elmer (Yvonne) of Tucson, AZ., Kathie Hamblen (John) of Sedona, AZ., Karen Swanson of Peoria, AZ., and Sharon Chandler of Tucson, AZ. James also leaves behind 23 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation Monday at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., Cottonwood, AZ. Funeral Mass Wednesday, 10 a.m., at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Sedona, AZ. Interment following at Schuerman-Red Rock Cemetery, Sedona, AZ.