Robert Elliott, 1935-2021

Robert Louis Elliott, 85, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, in Winter Haven.

Born in Joplin, MO on May 31, 1935, to the late Marvin Edward Elliott and Mildred May Koch Elliott, he was preceded in death by his beloved brother, James Elliott.

He is survived by his eldest son, Marvin Scott Elliott and his wife, Kimberly Mooney Elliott, and grandson, Taylor Scott Elliott, all of Bartlett, TN; and his youngest son, Jefferson Bradley Elliott and his wife, Leslie Hawksworth Elliott, and two granddaughters, Megan Pate Elliott and Lauren Amanda Elliott, all of Midlothian, VA. Other surviving relatives include a nephew, James 'Jay' Elliott Hull and a great-nephew, Colton Hull, both of Dallas, TX; former wife, Shirley Lorton Elliott of Vienna, VA, and extended relatives by marriage: Steve Renko, Jr. and his wife, Sandra Lorton Renko, and two nephews Steve Renko III and Todd Renko, all of Kansas City, KS.

Bob spent his formative years growing up alongside his younger brother in Wichita, KS after the family relocated from Joplin. He was baptized as a young boy and remained a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, continually active in his Episcopalian faith.

During his senior year in high school, Bob served as Student Body President. He was honored to graduate as member of the Wichita East High School Class of 1953. After graduation, he continued his education at the University of Kansas, majoring in history. As an undergraduate, he joined the brotherhood of Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he became fondly known as "Eli".

He then pursued post-graduate work in the legal field at KU School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor. With law degree in hand, he headed for Kansas City where he was briefly employed as an attorney for Travelers Insurance Company prior to establishing his own law practice in Prairie Village. Not long thereafter, he served as City Attorney for the City of Leawood. Eventually, Bob became the first ever Assistant Attorney for Johnson County. Then he was selected to represent the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) as one of only seven regional directors for the newly created Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement, a precursor to the federal government's Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

He relocated his family from Kansas to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to continue his legal work with the DEA. When he retired 22 years later, he had achieved the honorable rank of a single star general in the U.S. Department of Justice.

Anyone who knew Bob knew what a tremendous fan he was of all sports - everything from baseball to football, basketball to golf. He was also a lifelong and avid supporter of the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. He was a fervent supporter of his all-time favorite team, the Kansas University Jayhawks. He tirelessly supported KU athletics through decades of football, baseball, and basketball seasons, sometimes appearing in the stands and other times watching from the comfort of his home. He was even known to have two or three television sets and a transistor radio all running at the same time, each displaying different team events.

His grandson, Taylor, and his granddaughters, Megan and Lauren, were a constant source of laughter and enjoyment in his life. He was always proud to brag about his grandchildren to anyone who would listen. Many friends provided comfort in his final months. The family extends a special thanks to Barry and Steve who offered him companionship and encouragement as he bravely fought the effects of two debilitating strokes. The family also extends their gratitude for the compassionate care provided by Nurse Sharon and the staff of Water's Edge at Lake Wales in Florida.

A small memorial service will be held at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales before Bob is transported to his final resting place at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Wichita, KS where family and friends will gather graveside to celebrate his life.