James Arthur Elwell, 93, of Huntsville passed away Jan. 5 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
A celebration of life is planned for Jan.17 at the New Hope Methodist Church’s Community Life Center beginning at 11 a.m.
He was born Aug. 16, 1932 on a farm in Calhoun County in Alabama to Raymond and Annie Mae Elwell. He graduated from Anniston High School in 1950 and later from what is now Jacksonville State University. Many people knew him as Jim. Family and close friends called him Ossie. Only his mother called him Arthur. In 1955, he married the love of his life, Nettie Marie McKerley. They would have celebrated their 71st anniversary in May. His long career with the federal government began in 1952 at what is now the Anniston Army Depot in Anniston. After graduating from college and Jacksonville State’s ROTC program, he entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant. In 1962, after three additions to the family, David, Bill, and Cassie, he left the Army at the rank of Captain. The family moved to New Hope in 1963 when he took a job with NASA. In May of 1965, he began work with the Department of Defense in the Missile Intelligence Agency. That was the beginning of a 31-year career doing a job where you could not ask him what he did because he was not allowed to tell you. He spent many days working at the Pentagon and other locations around the country and abroad, including three years stationed in Germany. Throughout all their life changes, Jim and Nettie remained loyal members of the New Hope Methodist Church.
He is survived by sons David (Kay) and Bill (Debbie) and daughter Cassie Robinson (Marty). The survivors include sisters Rose Ritondo (Richmond Hill, Ga.) and Margaret Prickett (Wellington) and sister-in-law Shirley McKerley (New Hope). He was preceded in death by his brothers Raymond Jr., David, and Donald. Other survivors include grandsons Jason Elwell (Amy), Kevin Elwell (Stefanie), and granddaughters Arlie Smith Gilliland (Greg), Amber Robinson Green (Don) and Mary Robinson Rodgers (Jason). He was preceded in death by grandson Paul Robinson. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Charlotte Elwell, James Elwell, Hadley Elwell, Lexi Green, Jackson Green, Everett Green, Hunter Rodgers, Presley Newberry, Wilder Rodgers, Ava Gilliland, Charlee Gilliland and Grant Gilliland. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins who live all around the country.
The family would like to say “Thank you” a million times to caregiver Heather Cooper, special friend Tara Staggs, and the fine people at Gentiva Hospice and Huntsville Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the New Hope Methodist Church.
