The Eternal Charger #5

Eagles Landing Christian Academy, McDonough, GA., was home for Stephen beginning in the sixth grade and until he moved back to KY his senior year (1997-2002). It holds such special memories in our heart. His brother Jon was a student also, his mother taught there, and his father was the basketball coach. There Stephen excelled in and out of the classroom, and adopted his southern charm. He participated in junior varsity basketball and football, varsity golf, tennis, track, and basketball.

ELCA is a private Christian school for K-12 grades. When he first attended in 1997, there were 160 students in 6-12th grades and 270 students in the entire one-building complex. In 2000, the new complex was built. All the students knew one another, appreciated, and respected each other. This was evident at the ceremony in the new ELCA gym on January 29th, 2010, when Stephen's jersey was retired. There were students who were seniors when Stephen began as a 6th grader and students who were much younger than him. There was a closeness that could not be explained. Not only did many students attend, the stands were full of parents of old classmates, and past faculty members.

Pastor Tim Dowdy, friend and pastor of Eagles Landing First Baptist Church spoke of his memories of Stephen and what he stood for. He asked for all the students to come join us on the floor. We stretched our hands out to each other as he prayed.


















Next, Coach James Hunter relayed the story as to how he came to ELCA. Rick had been his assistant coach on the Henry Co Recreation and YBOA teams Stephen had been associated with. Rick called him and asked him to bring his son to ELCA and be his assistant. He went on to tell about the impact Stephen had had on peoples lives in such a short period of time.

It was evident with the amount of friends that came that evening. But it was also so clearly seen at his funeral. He said that the seventeen/eighteen people that came from Georgia witnessed it. (Although I counted up that there were at least thirty-one people that drove or flew in from Georgia for the funeral.) Stephen had only been back in Kentucky for a short time, but there was a constant line for hours at the funeral. James reinterated what others have said about Stephen's Christian character. They unveiled the jersey that will hang in the gym.


Rick had the pre-game talk with the team earlier that evening. He told them they would only have one opportunity to go out on the floor and give it their all...to play their best. He also told them they only have the one opportunity in life to make a difference...to live as God would want them live.
James told us the next evening that earlier in the season he had told Stephen's story to his team. As a result, he had two players give their lives to Jesus. We knew that Stephen's death had to have a reason. If these were just the only two lives saved, it would be worth it. However, we feel there are more we know nothing about.

Clay Reeves, close friend and teammate of Stephen's spoke afterwards about a memorial scholarship for a graduation senior they are starting for Stephen. The recipient must have a Christian character, be an athlete, have a strong academic standing, and possess citizenship qualities.

Letter from Stephen

An associate of Rick's wrote and framed the following poem and gave it to Rick for Christmas.

He met me in the fog,
With open arms.
He carried me to the Gate of His Heaven
shortly after seven.
I felt no pain,
And His Heaven is the most spectacular display I've ever seen.
Indescribable, Incomprehensible,
Vast, mouth dropping,
Eye popping,
Angels singing
Holy, Holy, Holy.
Don't be upset.
It is brighter and more beautiful than any sunset.
I found Nicholas,
He is absolutely gorgeous;
Just as you remember
We are in Heaven, eternity, forever.
I am with you still,
I'm the wind that gives you a sudden chill.
I am the sun shining on your face,
Drying your tears in place.
I know Jon is having a hard time.
Let him read this message of mine.
Depend on God to be your best friend.
And I will see all of you again.

I love and miss all of you,
Stephen

What a Tribute by Griffin Industries

Stephen had worked part time during the summers for Griffin Industries since he was thirteen. He started at the Atlanta plant in Ellenwood working on Saturdays mowing the grass. He eventually graduated to other jobs after he became older. After he moved back to Kentucky, he worked at the fabrication plant, Jay Gee, as an utility worker. In addition to digging ditches and painting, he continued to use the lawnmower. Finally, Stephen advanced to an office position at the Butler operation and began working alongside the field representatives. Occasionally, he would travel with a driver on a grease or fat and bone route.

When Stephen graduated from Georgetown with his Business Administration degree, he was asked to begin working at the corporate office in Cold Spring, Ky., in a pilot management trainee position. He stayed at the corporate office for the next six months training with the Safety department and Human Resources. He moved back to the Butler operation for the next several months and saw first-hand how the plant operated. He even had a few weeks where he worked in the Bakery division. The time came for him to locate back at the corporate office for training in the Enviromental division.

Griffin Industries was the only job that Stephen had ever known and on December 5th, 2009, the family of Griffin Industries presented us with a collage to honor him. A second copy hangs in the gathering area at the corporate office. In addition, they announced a new scholarship they are setting up in his name. This scholarship is one of five they sponsor. The other four belong to Mr. John L. Griffin, Mrs. Rosellen Griffin, Mr. Ronald L. Griffin, and Mr. James K. Griffin. It is truly an honor to be associated in such a list of names.

The group that worked on and designed the collage consisted mainly of three people: Molly Faust, Stephen's lunch buddy and close friend, Brian Griffin, an old friend that eventually became his superior and was like a big brother to him, and Kim Stokelman, a friend in the marketing department. The two written portions of the collage consist of Stephen's "Powerful Smile" and a depiction of Stephen's life. The print in the center is a picture of a gym floor entitled "Return to Heaven" that hung in Brian Griffin's office. Stephen always admired and commented on it. The name plate at the bottom came from his name plate on his desk.

Return to Heaven

As I cross over the line from the outside world and set foot onto the hardwood of a basketball court, I transcend into a being that words cannot describe. No longer do I concern myself with worldly problems. Now I am in my domain, my Heaven here on Earth. With each stride that I take and every creak I hear in the floor, I embrace punishment, fearing someone else may be working harder than me. I notice the smell of pride in the air, and this excites me. The blood, sweat and tears from the agony of defeat and joy of sweet victory circulate a most unique essence like none other I have ever been able to find. Deep within my heart lies a security in knowing that not only has my pride contributed to this essence, but that the blood, sweat and tears of players past have contributed to it as well. And we must not forget the ones who taught us what pride really means. This is sacred to me, reminding me that I have given everything I ever had and put it all in to the great game of basketball. I have given my heart and soul to this game. So whenever I leave my domain, I always take with me the the anxiety and the yearning from deep within my soul that just can't wait until my next Return to Heaven.

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.

A Powerful Smile

At first glimpse, you will find a contagious Smile…
The kind of Smile you often desire.
A tremendous Smile created by a
Strong family foundation.

A smile so huge because of his religious beliefs
And the inspiration it provided.

A Smile that few great student-athletes possess.
As a teammate, the Smile that ensures
Our team has a great chance in which any
Battle to engage and demonstrate confidence
That he is a true competitor
Who strives for true excellence.

A smile that young children adore—
One that creates excitement in his being.
A smile that recalled his childhood days
As he enjoyed those same memories.
A Smile that kids often seek
When selecting a new hero.

To a co-worker, a Smile that is prompt
And accurate from the very first time.
A smile that says, “Help me learn
And I’ll learn you more.”
One that many different people learned from,
A truly special type of Smile.

A smile a “world of friends” could see
On the opposite end of a message
Because of the compassion
And friendship it displayed.
A smile that demonstrated an uncanny ability
To listen, connect, and relate.

To a stranger, a smile with immediate
Warm rapport and sincere interest
In their general well-being and viewpoint—
Regardless of the subject at hand.
A smile that gained immediate respect with
Each “thank you, sir” or “yes, ma’am”.

A smile that had the desire to
Make a positive difference in so many.

A smile that cannot be forgotten
Because of the meaning it provided.

Do like me—find a mirror and
See his powerful Smile.

PCHS Honors Stephen

On December 9, 2008, the Pendleton County Wildcats honored the memory of Stephen by presenting his senior jersey #15 to his parents. Coach Chad Simms, Stephen's former assistant coach, spoke a few words and the senior wildcats carried his jersey to center court. Senior Timmy Cooper wore a similar #15 jersey in memory of Stephen for the evening



Upon returning to Kentucky for his senior year, Stephen committed himself to one sport--basketball and played for Coach Buddy Biggs. He was the lone senior on the squad. When districts rolled around, he helped lead his team to the 10th region tournament. Stephen was selected after the season as the recipient of the treasured "Larry Price Hustle Award", the same honor his father had received twenty-five years earlier. Two years later, Stephen's brother, Jon, would be honored with the same award at the end of his junior and senior years.



The jersey was given back to the school so that it may hang in the gym.


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