1985 - 2009

1985 - 2009 Whether or not you believe in the power of first impression, it only took one meeting to understand that Stephen Elrod had the gift to inject a positive influence on people’s lives. Maybe it was because of the humble, Christian values instilled in him from the time he was young, or just the good nature he was blessed to be born with. The lives he touched were immeasurable and anyone with the good luck to meet him was fortunate enough to have their life enriched in some way.

There are countless ways to describe Stephen: compassionate, hardworking, dedicated, humble, athletic, and charismatic are just a few, but none of these can truly capture who Stephen Dale Elrod was. He had the rare ability to always put others before himself in any situation, whether it was lending a friendly ear to listen and provide encouraging words of advice, coaching grade school students or simply flashing his famous, friendly smile to someone having a bad day. He always uplifted people through his own positive outlook on life and his talent for making others believe in themselves. Stephen was a true example of what it means to be selfless.

Stephen had an amazing sense of humor that let him live life to the fullest, never taking a minute for granted. He recognized all the joy life had to offer, especially when spending time with his family and friends. His sense of humor and ability to enjoy every moment made him an optimistic person who didn’t let anything get him down.

Although we lost a son, a brother, a friend, and a colleague, and the void can never be replaced, as will always remember Stephen’s humility, generosity, and smile. Most importantly, we can use these memories as inspiration to make our lives, and the lives around us more complete and whole, just as Stephen did during his short time on this Earth.