Colonel John Elliott's Obituary
Colonel John Elliott, USAF Ret., aged 94, passed away on January 10, 2023, at the Circle of Life medical facility. He was born on July 13, 1928 in Ada, Ohio to Dr. Floyd and Rose Elliott. He is survived by his daughters Linda (Clark), Lydia (McAllister), and son, Floyd, grandchildren Christina and Edward, and great-grandson, Hayden.
John attended Ohio Northern University where he obtained an A.B. in Liberal Arts and a B.S. in Education. He then received a master’s degree in Science and Physical Chemistry from Ohio University. While attending the master’s program, John met his future wife, Helen Tomaski, an accomplished concert violinist who was pursuing her MA in Education. After eight months of dating, they married on August 31, 1952.
John joined the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and served as a Scientific Manager and Acquisition Management Officer. While stationed in New Mexico, John and Helen welcomed their first child, Linda. They soon moved to Okinawa, Japan where their second child, Lydia, was born. Floyd, their third child, was born in Colorado when the family returned to the U.S. In 1958, the whole family moved to France for three years and then to Germany for one.
During his 26 years of military service, John was associated with several NATO and US defense programs, missile development, and the chemical and biological defense program. Towards the end of his career, John was appointed to the Atomic Energy Commission and stationed at the Pentagon. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 1979.
John then began a second career in condominium management and was a board member of several condominiums in the Washington, D.C. area. His wife Helen became a well-known orchestra teacher in the Alexandria, VA school system. In retirement, they traveled the world, enjoyed fine dining and the arts, and shared these experiences with their family. In 2006, John and Helen moved to Fayetteville, AR to be near their daughter, Lydia. They made their home at Butterfield Trail Village and loved to be with family. Helen passed away on December 14, 2018.
John loved his country, his family, and his wife, and he demonstrated this love through constant service, generosity, and care. He will be deeply missed by his family, who take comfort in following his example. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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