Obituaries

Ronnie Dean Elam

Ronnie Dean Elam, 55, of Lonoke, Ark., passed away Aug. 1, 2013. He was born in Cotton Plant, Ark. on Nov. 23, 1957 to parents Clarence and Dorothy Tims Elam who preceded him in death. At the age of 15, he came to live with his brother Garry and wife, Johnnie Elam of Des Arc who raised him as their own. Garry and Johnnie also had two children, Garri Lynn and Teddy who Ronnie considered his brother and sister. Growing up in Des Arc, Ronnie was an avid sports fan and an outstanding athlete in his on time as a Des Arc Eagle. He held many records in football during his playing career and many of which stood for more than 25 years!! He is the only Des Arc Eagle to ever receive All-American honors. In 1975, as a junior in High School he lead his team as quarterback to state runner up status and followed that in 1976 with the only state championship Des Arc has ever won in football. People say Ronnie could have played professional football but Ronnie was a simple man and was happy with the simple life he had. He married Phyllis Brown on April 7, 1984 and moved to Lonoke. Together they had one daughter, Whitley Elizabeth and one son, Rollins Dare. He was a devoted and loving husband to Phyllis and from the time Whitley and Rollins were old enough to participate in sports, Ronnie was their toughest critic yet always their biggest fan. He worked hard to make an honest living to help provide for his family. All the wealth and notoriety in the world wouldn't have meant anything to him without his family. Ronnie is also survived by siblings, Gerald Elam, Barbara (Eddie Wayne) Dobson both of Brinkley, Ark., Marilyn Warren of San Angelo, Texas; and mother-in-law, Mary Brown of Des Arc, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his brothers, Robert, Charles and Donald Ray Elam and father-in-law, Owen Brown. The family ask that in lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Des Arc Eagle and Lonoke Jackrabbit Booster Clubs. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Fisher, Scott Mitchell, Drew Mitchell, Thurman Washington, Tyler Holmes, and Ronnie Evans with members of the 1976 Championship Football Team serving as honorary. Visitation will be Sunday, August 4, 2013 from 1-4 p.m. in the Methodist Church Christian Life Center and funeral at 2 p.m. Monday, August 5, 2013 at the Christian Life Center. Arrangements by Garth Funeral Home of Des Arc. Online guest register www.garthfuneralhome.com.

Published August 4, 2013

Upcoming Events