A Long Awaited Letter

After a long process, we finally received a letter thirteen months after Stephen gave life to another individual. Sending and receiving correspondence between the donor family and donor recipients respects each family's privacy and is quite extensive. While it is difficult for the donor family, it is also encouraging to know Stephen's death saved other lives. In addition, for the donor recipient, they find it difficult to correspond because of the circumstances surrounding their gift of life.

Stephen's liver recipient is an older 60 year old gentleman who lives in Ohio. He suffered from a chronic progressive disease which caused acute liver failure. He was second on the waiting list and was extremely ill at the time of his transplant. Stephen saved his life. When he is feeling well enough, he works at Goodyear Tire. He is the married father of two children. In his free time, he especially enjoys outdoor activities. In his letter he said that he had had several complications along the way, but continues to make medication changes and undergo multiple testing in order to improve his health status. Because of Stephen's gift of life, he is alive and able to spend time with his new grandbaby. He said he feels an obligation to cherish every day for Stephen's sacrifice. He would be eternally grateful to Stephen, and was very sympathetic with our loss.

The donor program is a wonderful life saving one. In order to educate others, Second Chance at Life, Inc., has designed a specialty license plate. It will become a reality once, and if, 900 applications and fees have been received. Your initial check of $25.00 will be held in escrow until all 900 applications are received. An application for the plate can be downloaded at www.kyorgandonor.org. Below is the total cost of the Donate Life Specialty Plate: $25.00 - initial fee with application, $9.00 - Paid at your County Clerk's Office once plate is available, $10.00 - Donation to Second Chance for continual public education efforts--$44.00 Final Total
Please sign up for the Donate Life license plate today.

"SDE" honored with the Future Pendleton Co. Hoopsters

One afternoon this spring we received a call from Wes Sullivan, the coach of the "Future Hoopsters". On behalf of the parents, coaches, and players, he presented us with a framed jersey the team wore this past season. Stephen had began helping Wes by showing the players a few drills. It wasn't long before he was at every practice and game. He was looking forward to the next season of players.

We began two educational scholarships with the memorial funds received from friends at the funeral because we knew Stephen would be honored knowing others had help continuing their education; however, he would be ecstatic if his little basketball team had financial support as well with his funds. We purchased their ball uniforms this past year, and they wore them proudly with the initials "SDE" over their heart. As a thank you at the end of the season, we received a replica jersey (#15...Stephen's high school number). It hangs beside his Georgetown jersey.

Pendleton Country Club 11th Hole Beautified

This year at the annual Jim Griffin Invitational, held at the Pendleton Country Club, the players arrived at the 11th hole and found a memorial garden for Stephen. Several of the players placed a golf ball around the boulder in honor of Stephen. The memorial was donated by a beloved family--Brian, Beth, Macy, Tanner, and Riley Griffin. It was appropriate that it was planted and established for this annual event. Stephen spent the last weekend of his life playing in the Jim Griffin Memorial Tournament. He posted his facebook status on Friday morning, July 17, 2009 at 2:20 am as "Stephen Elrod is awake...hoping to have a great weekend...it's the griffin memorial tournament...best weekend of the summer in pc". A few hours later, he went to Brian and Beth Griffin's home to help them set up for their Jon Boat Classic, an annual party they hosted to begin the tournament in honor of Brian's father, Jim Griffin.

2010 Scholarship Presentations

The Stephen Dale Elrod Memorial Scholarships were created to honor graduating students from the two high schools Stephen attended (Eagles Landing Christian Academy, GA, and Pendleton County High School, KY) who most exemplified the life and values of Stephen. In order to qualify for the scholarships, the recipients must have participated in a sport while maintaining a high and vigorous academic standard. In addition, they should epitomize the principles Stephen held in high regard through their words and actions. He/She would exhibit hard work and never settle for being average, always look for the good in others, and have the desire to make a positive difference.

Eagles Landing Christian Academy
May 21, 2010


Out of a graduating class of 75 students, Mr. Daniel Jones received the first scholarship at the annual athletic banquet. While attending ELCA, he was a two-sport athlete and an incredible Christian leader on his athletic teams. In addition, he received lead actor roles in the one-act plays and others at the school.
In the classroom, he maintained a strong academic average. Daniel was involved with the church and participated in mission work as well. In the words of ELCA's athletic director, Daniel was a "great kid and will be missed at ELCA". Daniel plans to attend Georgia State University in the fall of 2010.
One of Stephen's best friends, Clay Reeves, and his father, Scott, made the presentation of the scholarship to Daniel with Rick.

Pendleton County High School
June 1, 2010

Every year, the graduating class of PCHS hosts "Class Night", a night to showcase the talents and achievements of the graduating seniors. Bethany King was one of 58 seniors in a class of 180 to receive a scholarship. Rick and Jon were proud to present her with a scholarship in memory of Stephen.
Bethany was an outstanding student and had an impressive repertoire of community service and mission work through her church. She was a standout on the basketball court and on the cross-country course. She is a talented artist and plans to pursue her career goal at Morehead State University.

Griffin Industries April 1, 2010

Griffin Industries introduced a new scholarship in honor of Stephen to be given annually to an employee who wishes to continue his/her education. The first scholarship was awarded to Molly Faust, an employee at the corporate office. Stephen would be so excited for Molly. She was a good friend and lunch partner every day at work. Molly is furthering her education at Northern Kentucky University.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients.

Stephen Elrod Memorial Plaza Dedication Ceremony

A twenty-two minute video of the entire dedication of the sculpture and the Stephen Elrod Memorial Plaza at Georgetown College.

Memorial Tribute

Short video put to music of friends and family that attended the dedication ceremony reminiscing about Stephen and looking at the sculpture and inside at the cross and fingerprints placed during the bronze process. Music by Sarah McLachlan, "Arms of an Angel"

Celebration Ceremony

On Friday, May 14th, 2010, the sculpture and plaza area was dedicated in a touching ceremony.

Welcome by Dr. William H. Crouch, Jr.,
Readings and Commentary by: Rick Elrod
Pastor Larry Travis giving "The Angel's Message"
Dr. Nancy Lumpkin reading Isaiah 40: 30-31
Mark Surgalski
Dr. Scott Takacs reading Romans 5: 1-5
Coach Happy Osborne on Stephen as a Gatherer
Dr. Tom Cooper reading Emily Dickinson's There is Another Sky, verses 9-12
Amanda Matthews, artist
Closing Prayer by Rev. Robert M. Fox, Jr.

Coach Happy Osborne spoke of Stephen being a gatherer during the ceremony


The focal point of the plaza area is the bronze sculpture, an angelic form expressing forward and upward movement and quiet introspection. Designed by Amanda B. Matthews and fabricated at the Prometheus Foundry in the spring 2010, the sculpture is bronze with stainless steel armature situated on a rough-cut limestone base. Inside the wings are fingerprints of family members Judy and Jon Elrod and Celtic crosses that bear the initials SDE in remembrance of Stephen.

Surrounding the sculpture are landscaping features that are intended to transform the space from a pass-through area into a gathering place. Two arcs are comprised of fourteen stones brought to the site from a barn on the Elrod family farm in northern Kentucky. Five limestone stepping-stones lead to the sculpture and provide a path to the granite boulders that offer a site of reflection on each side of the sculpture. The plantings accentuate the sculpture and serve, also, as symbolic reminders of the homes where Stephen lived. These include: Crimson Pygmy Barberry from the family home in Falmouth, Kentucky; Nandina bushes from their Georgia home: and Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry, Knockout Roses, and Liriope that are present at the family's current residence in Foster, Kentucky.
It was very important to us to have the sculpture completed, installed, and dedicated before Jon graduated. All the graduates would line up in the George Bush Fitness Center and march through the plaza and sculpture area. Although Stephen was not present physically during this celebration, his presence was felt in more ways than one.
May 15, 2010