Obituary of John Elsea

John "Jay" William Elsea, age 86, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 13, 2010 surrounded by his family. Jay was born in Macon County, Missouri, the only child of Gilbert and Golda Romjue Elsea. He joined the US Marine Corps in World War II and trained in War Dog School and served at Camp Shangri-la (now Camp David) as a guard and at the Marine Corps Institute in Washington D.C. He met the love of his life, Vera Somerset in Wilmington, NC. They married two years later and had celebrated 63 years of marriage. They were blessed with two wonderful children, son Rodney Allan and a daughter, Linda Rose. Jay started his career with the former Atlantic Coast Line RR, now CSX, in 1947. They transferred to Jacksonville in 1960. He retired in 1984. Upon his retirement he became a very active volunteer for his church, Glynlea Grace United Methodist Church and delivering Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed traveling, wood working, and growing plants (especially orchids). He was a member of the Jax Orchid Society, a Mason (Wilm. NC) and the American Legion. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He is survived by his beloved wife, Vera, his son, Rod (Jo), his daughter Linda Walton (Doug), grandchildren, Rachel and David Elsea and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, 2 half sisters, Mary Alice Wheatcraft and Geneva Means, and several sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws. The funeral services will be held Friday, June 18, 2010 at noon at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, with Rev. Kip Younger officiating. Burial will be in Arlington Park cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Arlington Park Funeral home, for a visitation on Thursday, June 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Glynlea Grace United Methodist Church, 6429 Atlantic Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32211.