John Yeuell Elliott Jr.

John Yeuell Elliott Jr. of Cleveland passed away at home on January 17, 2020, surrounded by his family. A lifelong Clevelander, he attended Arnold Memorial Elementary School, Bradley Central High School (Class of 1958), the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the University of Chattanooga, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. He was a veteran of the Air National Guard. His career was in sales for the gas and electric appliance industry where he worked for Hardwick Stove Company, Jacuzzi Gas Products, and Robertshaw Controls. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the L.P. Gas Association and served as President of the Young Appliance Executives Association.

John was a cradle Episcopalian and lifelong member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where he was elected to the vestry, sang in the choir, and served as an acolyte. He was an active sponsor of Junior Achievement, enjoyed performing with the Hardwick Players, and was a supporter of the Cleveland-Bradley County Public Library and the Museum Center at 5ive Points. He was a member of the Harry S. Truman Club, the Bulls and Bears Investment Club, for which he served as President, and the Cleveland Country Club, on whose Board of Directors he served. He was an avid golfer and scored five holes-in-one.

He was preceded in death by his father J.Y. Elliott Sr., who served as Mayor of Cleveland, and mother Ruth Smith Elliott, formerly of Bogalusa, Louisiana, and his grandson Wes Kelley Elliott. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maryl Mayfield Elliott; his three sons John Y. “Jay” Elliott, III, and his wife, the former Missy Johnson; David Mayfield Elliott and his wife, the former Kelley Sullins; and Michael McConnell Elliott -- and grandchildren Jack David Elliott, J.Y. Elliott IV, Boonstra Johnson Elliott, Atlee Christina Elliott, and Elsie Keelin Elliott.

John and Maryl loved to travel and were able to take many wonderful trips. They enjoyed several cruises and trips to Europe, but their favorite was “adventure” travelling. They biked 30 miles down Mount Haleakala in Maui, went on an African safari in Kenya, hiked the ruins of Machu Picchu, got “up close and personal” with the animals of the Galapagos Islands and the gray whales of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and had amazing trips with children and grandchildren.

His greatest delight was his family, who will forever love and remember him for the wonderful and devoted husband, father, and grandfather that he was.

The funeral will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Tennessee, on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., and officiated by the Reverend Joel Huffstetler, a dear family friend and a source of support during this difficult time. It will be followed by interment in the St. Luke’s Memorial Garden. Before the funeral, visitation will be held in St. Luke’s Parish Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

You are invited to share a personal memory of John or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com.