Jack Livingston Elliott's Obituary
Jack Livingston Elliott, born in Kentucky, passed in peace on Nov. 30, 2018 at the age of 96. He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Apple; daughter, Barbara Diane; and both brothers, William Livingston and Richard Livingston. Jack was the loving father of David Livingston, Jacqulin Elliott Justice, and Courtney Elliott Andersen; proud grandfather of Gus Livingston Elliott, Julia Claire Elliott, Jonathan “Jack” Andersen, Noah Williams Andersen, Olivia Elliott Andersen, and Hallie Morgan Justice. Jack will be fondly remembered by his friends and family for his big heart; his humble manner; and his absolute ingenuity in everything he did.Jack was a proud member of the Army Air Force (before it became the Air Force) volunteering for duty in 1942. He received training as both a bombardier and a navigator at Kelly Field, Ellington Field, S.A.A.F.B.S., and San Angelo Field. He was one of the first to receive his commission and the right to wear the silver wings of a bombardier, navigator, or aerial observer. He graduated from bombardier school in a select class that was then known as the “Hell from Heaven Men.” He was selected to train and instruct future “Axis blasters” before being called into combat missions in 1943 where he was stationed in Okinawa until the end of the war.Post war, Jack returned home and attended the University of Tennessee on the GI Bill where he studied accounting. Jack met his wife Barbara “Bobbie” Apple through an ad in the newspaper advertising a carpool. “Bobbie” answered the ad, and Jack accepted as he thought “Bobbie” was the name of a young man. The case of mistaken identity ended in a fruitful and happy marriage of 65 years. Jack graduated with his Bachelor of Science in 1949 and soon after took a job with an accounting firm known as Haskins and Sells in St. Louis, MO.Jack and Barbara had two children, David and Diane, during the baby boom of the 1950s. Bobbie and Jack enjoyed young family life in the close-knit community on Harold Drive where the neighbors took turns hosting parties, the children all became fast friends, and neighborhood projects were shared responsibility. Friendships from Harold Drive still dot the Christmas card list. Jack was a natural project manager; and even convinced his fellow church members to volunteer their time to replace the windows of North Hills UMC – saving the church thousands of dollars in today’s money. A great example of the way Jack could garner support for almost any task by rolling up his sleeves and leading by example – a lesson he instilled in his children.In 1963, Jack moved the family to Tennessee to open the Memphis office of Haskins and Sells. Jack was admitted as a partner to Haskins and Sells in 1966 – then a nationwide certified public accounting firm. The firm would later become known only as Deloitte – an elite member of the big four. Jack retired from Deloitte’s Dallas office in 1982. Jack was proud that he spent his entire career with the same firm in a time when many transferred from firm to firm.After their daughter, Diane, died in 1987, Jack and Barbara legally adopted their granddaughters, Jackie and Courtney, starting their “second family.” This put their retirement on a permanent hold, and they traded in the golf links and travel for days and nights filled with homework and housework.Jack enjoyed many hobbies including golf and volunteering his accounting skills to various nonprofits including RESTART which helped recovering drug addicts find a new beginning. He served as church treasurer for Spring Valley United Methodist Church for several years where he and Barbara were proud members. They attended Sunday school in “Spring Valley’s Old-Fashioned Class,” the Beacon Class, for over 20 years where deep friendships were formed around fellowship. Many of those friendships stayed with Jack all the way to his final address of Highland Springs Retirement Community.A service to celebrate Jack Elliott will be held at Restland’s Abby Chapel on Friday, Dec 7, 2018 at 3 p.m.
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