Jonesboro- Robert Carlysle "Bob" Elwood, 92, passed away peacefully at the Flo \u0026 Phil Jones Hospice House at St. Bernards surrounded by family at 2 pm on April 24, 2021. He suffered from prostate cancer and fought it all the way to end.

He was born to the late Kenneth and Anna Smith Elwood on March 30, 1929 in Dunlap, Iowa.

Bob married Sylvia Jeanette Vaage on January 20, 1951 in Cabool, MO. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years; their son Dean, and brothers Dwight Elwood and Ed Elwood.

He was a basketball player in High School known as the "Mad Hungarian" because of his curly wild jet black hair and his rough style of play. He was also a baseball player in high school. His quote in his High School annual was "May everyday be a Holiday!" He certainly loved life.

Bob lived most of his life in Jonesboro and was a charter member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church. He had a great passion for his family and trees. He had a wonderful personality and was quick witted, and always had something up his sleeve. Known as the tree man, He spent his life growing, planting and caring for trees. He was an expert climber, as well as having the skill to cut down hazardous trees when necessary. During the last few summers he has been selling smaller trees at the ASU Regional Farmers\u0027 Market. His most recent project was growing Ginkgo trees from seed.

Bob served in the U.S Army during the Korean Conflict. He supplied communication lines to the front serving as a lineman. He was meritoriously promoted to SGT. First Class. He was a drill instructor at Fort Dix, NJ for officer candidacy school. He was offered a position at the OSS but declined to raise a family. He received the Korean service medal, two Bronze Service Stars and a United Nations Service Medal.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Linda (Mark) Denny and sons, Lee, Tom and Rodney; grandson William "Kole" of Jonesboro; granddaughter, Valerie (JW) Fritts; his great-grandsons Kyle and Aaron Fritts of Huntsville; brothers, Elvin Elwood of Ozark, MO and Charles (Frankie) Elwood and sister Susan Jarrett both of Cabool; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the employees of Home Instead, and St. Bernards Hospice for the wonderful care they offered to him during his illness. Their dedication and effort to provide quality care was a heartwarming blessing to the entire family. We thank God for the gift of life and the blessing of the time we spent with him. He was a good father and loved his family as well as his customers.

Visitation will be 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

A funeral service to honor Bob will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1812 Rains Street in Jonesboro with Pastor Josh Leigeber officiating. Interment will follow at Philadelphia Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Randy Myers, Randy Hales, Tim Webb, Ernie Cullum, J.W Fritts and Kyle Fritts and honorary pallbearers will be Wes Eddington, Dicky Nutt, Van Wilhoite and Chris Moore.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital.

We ask all attendees to wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines.