Elmer Scott Child

Elmer Scott Child embodied the Greatest Generation that ever was. Born on September 15, 1915, he had a love for the great outdoors, his family, and his country. He was a hero. He was a self-made man. He lived a long and fruitful life. He faced his end of life with courage and conviction. Elmer passed away September 8, 2011 in Tucson, AZ just shy of his 96th birthday. He was surrounded by his loving family. Donations can be made in Elmer's name to the Odyssey Hospice care facility, located at 750 Foothill Dr. Tucson, AZ 85718. Elmer grew up in Iowa in some of this country's most beautiful farming land. He was one of seven children born to Sadie and Irving Child. He had a head for learning, and graduated from high school, going on to take additional correspondence courses in physics and calculus while he lived on the farm. One of those courses, a machinist's license, took him to California where he met his first wife, Meta Smythe Child. Elmer worked for Lockheed Aircraft Company before enlisting in the Navy when the war broke out. He served his country for two years, and was stationed in Chicago, San Diego, Richmond, and the Del Monte Naval Training facility in Pacific Grove. After the war ended, Elmer and his wife Meta, welcomed a son, Edward Scott Child into their world. A good provider, Elmer worked first as a machinist, he became a carpenter, and then as a General Contractor for most of his life, built apartments, motels and houses, and he built them well. He lived in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Santa Ana. He was a pilot and owned two of his own airplanes. During this time he developed a lifelong interest in lapidary work, and jewelry making. Other favorite hobbies included, off roading, motorcycle riding, cabinetry, and rock collecting. In 1978 Elmer met and married Marie Bang Child, and welcomed three daughters into his heart. He and Marie moved to Tucson in 1982 where Elmer built the couple a home. For the next 24 years they enjoyed travel, hobbies, grandchildren, and the Community of Hope Lutheran Church which Elmer helped to build. Together they traveled to Europe, to see Denmark, and visit Marie's Danish relatives, they also journeyed to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He was an active member of the Santa Ana Rock and Mineral Club. Elmer also picked up a new hobby during this time, wood carving, and the consummate craftsman then began a wonderful long term relationship with the Southwest Woodcarvers Association. Elmer made friends far and wide, and loved nothing better than to pack up his motorhome and travel to be closer to a good conversation with a relative or a friend. He loved touring the United States. Towing a Geo Tracker from one summer to the next, Elmer explored the East Coast in the fall, Alaska in the summer, and traveled to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, California, and the Oregon coast as favorite destinations. In 2002 he met and married Adamae Fornof Child. For ten years they enjoyed traveling together as part of the Jack Rabbit RV group. The two shared many adventures spending time in Iowa, traveling through Yellowstone, admiring the California coastline. They enjoyed hosting dinners for church friends, they beat the heat in Silver Springs, New Mexico, and theirs was an enjoyable and active retirement. Elmer was an active church member and was especially fond of Sunday morning pancake breakfasts, waffles, and church potlucks. He expected and appreciated a large mug of black coffee poured up to the brim. Elmer is survived by his devoted wife, Adamae Child. He was treasured and appreciated by his children, Scott Child, Beverly Child, Karen Palomo, Ruth Bumala, Beth Lennan and Nancy Gilmore. His heart was so big he always had room for another Child! He had many grandchildren, and was greatly loved by, Eric, Steve, Tara, Jaime, Hannah, Patrick, Caleb, Rick, Micah, Jesse, Kathryn, Christian, Eurasia, Robert, Martin, Joseph, Benjamin, Amanda, Will, Jade, Jewel, and Paris. He was proud of his 13 great grandchildren. There has rarely been a man born with such strength of will and strength of character. He had an incredible gift for mathematics and science. He understood the mechanics of an engine. He had the organizational skills and the knowledge to build large projects on time and keep them to a budget. Elmer believed in doing things to the best of his ability and never gave less. He lived to his own unique code of honor, and was independent and sharp witted, outspoken, direct and honest right up to the end. His hands were those of a builder and carver rough, worn, strong and capable; but his creations reflected a love of life and an appreciation of the beauty in nature. He will be missed by his family, and his friends; it was a joy and a privilege to have known him. A Celebration of Life is planned for October 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Community of Hope Lutheran Church located at 3141 West Ironwood Hill Drive, Tucson, AZ 85745. Arrangements by Desert Sunset Funeral Home.