Charles Vernon Elmore
In his last days Charles Vernon Elmore, formerly of Bayou Vista, TX, said he would float above the trees into eternity. And that is what he did on Sunday June 9, 2024 at age 86 after a short battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
The middle son of Juanita Glen Elmore and Wesley Robert Elmore, Charlie was born on August 24, 1937 in Houston, TX. He treasured his position as Milby High School’s star baseball catcher before graduating in 1955.
Charlie operated Elmore’s Radiator Service in Pasadena, TX before launching another successful business as a tool distributor for Cornwell and later, Mac Tools, for the remainder of his working career.
In 1982 Charlie and wife, Geneva, moved to Bayou Vista, TX, to be close to his favorite fishing spots. After Geneva lost her battle with cancer, Charlie soon retired. For the next 20 years he enjoyed fishing with his buddies, playing with his dog, growing tomatoes and cooking for his family and neighbors. He was known for his gumbo and shrimp dip. For years he volunteered at the Bayou Vista Summer Festival as Weigh Master and cook. He also volunteered with the Turning Point Handicapped Fishing Tournament, Texas Lady Anglers Association, Bayou Vista’s Friday Night Supper Club and Warrior Weekend Bayou Vista. He was a member of the Elks Lodge #126 in Galveston.
A life-long saltwater fisherman, Charlie was known far and wide as a fishing god. To prove it, in 2004 he landed a tagged redfish in CCA’s annual tournament and won a new pickup, boat, motor and trailer. Besides hooking redfish, flounder and trout, he loved watching the Astros and NASCAR races.
Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 32 years, Geneva Faye Flynt Elmore, brothers: Robert Glenn Elmore and Carl Douglas Elmore. He is survived by his daughter Cynthia Elmore Wilson and husband Scott Wilson, nieces: Deborah Elmore Swift, Carla DiBerardino, Leslie Elmore, Cheryl Flynt and René Heard and her husband Randy, as well as nephews: David Elmore and his wife Sheila and Justin Elmore.
Family and friends will gather for a celebration of Charlie’s life at James Crowder Funeral Home, 401 Texas Ave, La Marque, TX on June 13, 2024 at 4:30 pm. Service to begin at 6:00 pm. Interment will be on June 14, 2024 at 11:30 am at Clines Prairie Cemetery, Huntsville, TX. All are invited to join us.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Randy Heard, David Elmore, Doug Day, Davy Delesandri, Scott Wilson, and Mike Smith.
In lieu of flowers Charlie and the family have requested that a donation be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation on the Charles Elmore tribute page. https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute
Charles was a very special person and we will miss him dearly.
Prayers for the family.
Sincerely,
Doug and Lisa Day
Charlie was a blessing to me as a young child as well as my children. Charlie was so kind and welcoming to everyone he met. The summer of my 6th grade year I got to visit Charlie and Geneva with my sister, Cynthia. That memory and adventures has stayed with me throughout my life as a highlight of joy. I got to see how to catch, clean and eat crab meat and use live shrimp to fish. I remember marveling at jellyfish swimming under the boat while we fished and absolutely had a blast playing on the beach. I felt welcomed and loved even though I was not family. Many years later, Charlie welcomed my children to visit several times with similar experiences and memories for them. Charlie will be missed but lives on in our hearts and treasured memories. Much love and comfort to my beautiful Sister, Cynthia, and the Elmore family.
Charles pitched little league baseball when he was 12. We played for the Ada oilers. I was his catcher, he only threw fast balls, but he was awesome. I never saw him after the season was over, but I always remembered him. RIP