Elmer James Felton

Obituary Elmer J. "Bob" Felton June 30, 1916 ~ July 29, 2013 Elmer was born in Chase, Wisconsin, the youngest son of Michael S. Felton and Lillian Dale Miller. He had a total of 8 brothers and sisters, all of whom have preceded him in death. On Sunday, June 30th, Elmer celebrated his 97th birthday surrounded by his wife and family. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kay Felton; his four daughters, Barbara Ann Morris of Macon, GA, Bette Felton of Seattle, WA, Theresa J. Cannon of Kent, WA, and Margie Wark of Olympia, WA; his son, James Felton of Burien, WA; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. In 1927, he and his family left Wisconsin and Michigan, moving to Santa Rosa County outside of Pensacola, Florida. They intended to start a new dairy farm, which the family had successfully done in Wisconsin. They eventually settled on a large tract of land in Bellview, Florida. This land would eventually be bought by the U.S. Government and become part of the Saufley Field, NAS, a pilots training base for what would be World War II naval aviators. Subsequently, at the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in 1941, inspired by his early exposure to naval aviation. He served in Pensacola, and also in Foley, Alabama, until the end of the war. In 1939 he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Louise Clepper, who lived on the adjoining farm, and also came from a large farming family. They were married on Valentine's Day, the first marriage ever performed in St. Ann's Catholic Church. They had two children together, Barbara Ann and James. He continued on with the Naval Reserve after the War, but was transferred to Minneapolis, Minnesota. His wife, Mary Louise, was unable to adjust to life in Minnesota, and returned to Florida with their two children. They later separated. In 1945, Elmer met a Navy Wave, Jean Lannoye, also from Green Bay. They were stationed together at Minneapolis, NAS. They were married and together they had three daughters, Bette, Theresa, and Margie. In 1960, he was transferred to Arlington, Texas and was soon transferred again to Sand Point NAS in Seattle WA. He retired from the Navy in June, 1962, and then began a new career with the U.S. Army Reserve as a Civilian Aviation Chief Tech. His unit was moved to Paine Field near Everett, and supported the Army's Chinook helicopter training unit preparing for war in Vietnam. He finished out his time with the U.S. Army, retiring from his second government aviation career in 1982. He had served a total of 40 ½ years as a dedicated government employee. In December, 1976, he lost his wife Jean, to cancer. He married Kay the following July of 1977. He and Kay would spend the next 36 years happily together in their retirement years. Elmer loved his Catholic faith, hunting, (deer and pheasant), golf, and The Green Bay Packers. He spent many hours of his life in the pursuit and enjoyment of these interests. On Monday morning, July 29th, 2013, Elmer left us, and passed to the Lord, peacefully at home. We will miss him so very much, but we are all so fortunate to have had him for as long as we did. Elmer's wonderful life will be celebrated at a Funeral Mass on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at 11:00am at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 10508 112th Street, SW, Lakewood, WA 98498 with a reception to follow. Private interment at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, Shoreline, WA. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.