Elba Baltzell, 91, beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather, was called to his eternal resting place on September 2, 2020 in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
He entered this world on March 26, 1929 in Peru, KS, born to William and Caddy Baltzell. Elba grew up in Coffeyville with nine siblings and the girls outnumbered the boys; he attended grade school in Coffeyville completing this secondary education at Field Kindley Memorial High School. Honoring his call to serve, on January 23, 1951 in Kansas City, Missouri Elba started his active duty with the US Army and served until his honorable discharge on January 22, 1953 in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.
Elba returned to Kansas to start his adult life. On April 5, 1953 in Coffeyville, Kansas he married the love of his life, Alice Florene Norris. In 2003, there was a joint 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration in Coffeyville, Kansas. Elba and his wife Florene along with his brother Neil and his wife Barbara. This was a great milestone for one couple but for two brothers, the same year, was wonderful. On November 15, 2004 Florene preceded him in death. The couple made their home in Dewey, Oklahoma raising their two son, Jerry and Jim. Elba was employed in Bartlesville at Phillips 66 as a driver and retired after 20 years of service. Elba and Florene relocated to New Mexico in 1998 to be near the children and grandchildren.
Elba will be remembered as the best husband, father, and grandfather his family could have asked for. He loved to golf and played when given the opportunity, he especially looked forward to the Father & Son Annual Golf Tournament that his sons and grandsons played in at Andrews, Texas. Oh, and the countless card games, Elba was quite the 5 handed pitch player and he always won. When he was younger, he loved Bootsie, Suzy and Tina; each were a Chihuahua/Toy Terrier mix.
Elba will be remembered most by his two sons, Jerry Baltzell and his wife Linda, and Jim Baltzell, all from Granbury, Texas. Elba had 4 grandchildren, Katie Parvey from Spokane Valley, Washington; Joshua Baltzell and his wife Malory from Midland, Texas; Chris Baltzell from Stanton, Texas and Matt Baltzell from Carlsbad, NM. Elba is also survived by one great grandchild, Cameron Baltzell. In addition to his wife, Florene he was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Gertie (Elba) Counts, Hugh (Dorothy) Baltzell, Ruby (Banjo) James, Lorena (Noad) Jones, Helen (Garvin) Morlan, Minifee (Frank) Runyum, Pauline (Kenny) Helton, Bill (Madelin) Baltzell and Neil (Barbara)Baltzell.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Fairview Veterans Memorial Patio at 10 am under the direction of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel; with Evangelist David Bycroft officiating. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Florene in the Masonic Garden. To leave an online message of condolence visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
