Amos Elder
November 15, 1929 — May 18, 2015
Amos Elder
Service for Amos Gene Elder of Burleson will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Lane Prairie Baptist Church. The Reverend Jerry Clements will officiate. Immediately following the celebration of Amos Elder’s life a graveside service will be held at Caddo Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a visitation Friday, May 22, 2015 from 6:00-8: 00 P.M. at the Crosier-Pearson Funeral Home in Cleburne.
Amos Gene Elder was born at home in Clifton, Texas on November 15, 1929 to Prentice Lee Elder and Velma Helen Cunningham Elder. He attended school at Clifton and graduated from there in January 1948. Under the Selective Service Act of 1948 he served the army for one year and participated in the Active Reserves for five years.
In 1950, he graduated from Clifton Junior college with an AA degree. Following this accomplishment, he moved to Denton to attend North Texas State College. On April 2, 1951 he married Alta Lee Mann. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in January of 1952. The newlyweds took their first teaching positions in Stephenville, Texas to finish out the year. Amos taught 6th grade.
Wanting to teach and coach, Amos took a position at Belton Junior High School from 1952-1956. Before adding a Master’s of Education degree from the University of Texas in 1956, he added daughters Kathy, Karen, and Konnie to his growing family.
In 1956, Amos moved his family to Valley Mills where he continued to teach and coach. Before he left Valley Mills in 1961, he added a son, Kerry; and also experienced his first administrative position as the principal of Valley Mills High School for his last two years there.
In 1961, the family moved to Gatesville where Amos became Head Coach and Athletic Director of the high school for two years. During that time the final member of the Elder family another son was added, Kelly. In 1963, Amos made a career move back into administration when he became the principal of Joshua High School, while he also maintained some teaching responsibilities. He made one brief move to Jacksboro from 1964-1966, where he served as high school principal. Amos advanced his career in 1966 when he returned to Joshua to serve as the superintendent of schools for 16 years. During that time, the district grew from 500 students to over 2,200.
Amos Elder’s final professional position was in Seminole, where he served as superintendent from 1982-1988.
Upon retiring, he returned to his home in Joshua where he continued to serve the community as president of the school board. He was particularly proud to be the Chairman of the Board for 57 school districts organized by law as a County Education District. Other community service organizations he was proud to be affiliated with during his life were the Mason’s Organization, the Lion’s Club, and as a deacon in active service to his church.
His professional career and community service was something he took great pride in and brought him satisfaction and fulfillment; but not near as much as his family and friends and the many wonderful experiences he shared throughout his life with them. He was a “Jack of all Trades” and a master of most…..he loved gardening, wood working, collecting music boxes, traveling the world which included attending numerous Summer Olympic Games , and figuring things out…..he was a problem solver……..with great dignity, respect, and love for God, family, and friends he lived his life.
Amos Gene Elder achieved his ultimate reward for his life vested in all the things that matter, on May 18, 2015 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lee Elder.
Survivors include his children, Kathy Beasley and husband Steve Beasley of Dauphin Island, Alabama; Karen Crow of Fort Worth, Konnie Peacock and husband Jay Peacock of Cleburne, Kerry Elder and wife Larisa of Cleburne, and Kelly Elder and wife Susan of Rowlett; grandchildren Heather Parks, Haylee Esparza, Honor Anderson, Calab Crow, Cody Crow, Jeromy Peacock, Cheyenne Peacock, Ashley Barker, Austin Elder, Dima Glyzin, and Nicole Elder; 15 great grandchildren; brother, Lee Elder of San Angelo, sisters, Oleta Lubke of Grandview, Dorothy Davis of Hudson Oaks, Betty Barrs, of Clifton, and Mary Davis of Jasper, Georgia; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation
Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home
512 North Ridgeway Dr.
Cleburne, TX 76033
Friday, May 22, 2015
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Map to Visitation Location
Service
Church
Lane Prairie Baptist Church
412 CR 704
Joshua, TX 76058
Saturday, May 23, 2015
10:00 A.M.
Map to Service Location
Interment
Caddo Cemetery
Joshua , TX 76058
Amos Gene Elder was born at home in Clifton, Texas on November 15, 1929 to Prentice Lee Elder and Velma Helen Cunningham Elder. He attended school at Clifton and graduated from there in January 1948. Under the Selective Service Act of 1948 he served the army for one year and participated in the Active Reserves for five years.
In 1950, he graduated from Clifton Junior college with an AA degree. Following this accomplishment, he moved to Denton to attend North Texas State College. On April 2, 1951 he married Alta Lee Mann. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in January of 1952. The newlyweds took their first teaching positions in Stephenville, Texas to finish out the year. Amos taught 6th grade.
Wanting to teach and coach, Amos took a position at Belton Junior High School from 1952-1956. Before adding a Master’s of Education degree from the University of Texas in 1956, he added daughters Kathy, Karen, and Konnie to his growing family.
In 1956, Amos moved his family to Valley Mills where he continued to teach and coach. Before he left Valley Mills in 1961, he added a son, Kerry; and also experienced his first administrative position as the principal of Valley Mills High School for his last two years there.
In 1961, the family moved to Gatesville where Amos became Head Coach and Athletic Director of the high school for two years. During that time the final member of the Elder family another son was added, Kelly. In 1963, Amos made a career move back into administration when he became the principal of Joshua High School, while he also maintained some teaching responsibilities. He made one brief move to Jacksboro from 1964-1966, where he served as high school principal. Amos advanced his career in 1966 when he returned to Joshua to serve as the superintendent of schools for 16 years. During that time, the district grew from 500 students to over 2,200.
Amos Elder’s final professional position was in Seminole, where he served as superintendent from 1982-1988.
Upon retiring, he returned to his home in Joshua where he continued to serve the community as president of the school board. He was particularly proud to be the Chairman of the Board for 57 school districts organized by law as a County Education District. Other community service organizations he was proud to be affiliated with during his life were the Mason’s Organization, the Lion’s Club, and as a deacon in active service to his church.
His professional career and community service was something he took great pride in and brought him satisfaction and fulfillment; but not near as much as his family and friends and the many wonderful experiences he shared throughout his life with them. He was a “Jack of all Trades” and a master of most…..he loved gardening, wood working, collecting music boxes, traveling the world which included attending numerous Summer Olympic Games , and figuring things out…..he was a problem solver……..with great dignity, respect, and love for God, family, and friends he lived his life.
Amos Gene Elder achieved his ultimate reward for his life vested in all the things that matter, on May 18, 2015 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lee Elder.
Survivors include his children, Kathy Beasley and husband Steve Beasley of Dauphin Island, Alabama; Karen Crow of Fort Worth, Konnie Peacock and husband Jay Peacock of Cleburne, Kerry Elder and wife Larisa of Cleburne, and Kelly Elder and wife Susan of Rowlett; grandchildren Heather Parks, Haylee Esparza, Honor Anderson, Calab Crow, Cody Crow, Jeromy Peacock, Cheyenne Peacock, Ashley Barker, Austin Elder, Dima Glyzin, and Nicole Elder; 15 great grandchildren; brother, Lee Elder of San Angelo, sisters, Oleta Lubke of Grandview, Dorothy Davis of Hudson Oaks, Betty Barrs, of Clifton, and Mary Davis of Jasper, Georgia; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation
Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home
512 North Ridgeway Dr.
Cleburne, TX 76033
Friday, May 22, 2015
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Map to Visitation Location
Service
Church
Lane Prairie Baptist Church
412 CR 704
Joshua, TX 76058
Saturday, May 23, 2015
10:00 A.M.
Map to Service Location
Interment
Caddo Cemetery
Joshua , TX 76058
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