Richard "Rich" Lee Elliott

Richard “Rich” Lee Elliott, 80, of Kimball, died at the Kimball County Manor on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Richard Lee Elliott was born in Alliance on Feb. 25, 1935, the son of Larmer and Mable (Rodgers) Elliott. He attended school in Alliance and graduated in 1953. After graduation, he worked on a ranch in Merriman. This was a job he really loved. Rich then worked in the oil fields during the 1960s. He later worked for Foster Lumber and that is where he studied to be a locksmith, receiving a diploma in 1988. Then he worked at Cabela’s and later GRI, where he met Betty (Sherman) Gentz. They were married on May 3, 1997.

Rich received many calls at night from someone needing to get their car unlocked; he loved helping people and never complained about this. He was a big man, standing 6’4; he even had a bigger heart. He loved kids, and visited the kids during the holiday season as “Santa Claus.” Rich loved his church family, and would always lend a helping hand. His Lord meant everything to him, and it was his wish that his children personally know the Lord as he had done.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Elliott of Kimball; sons, David Elliott of Chappell and Wayne Elliott of Dix; step-son Kevin (Robin) Sherman of Kimball; daughters, Diane (Wade) Heidemann of Parachute, Colo., and Candi Elliott of Chadron; step-daughter Karen (Sherman) Lyles of Albuquerque, N.M .; brother, Virgil Elliott of Hemmingford; eight grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Myrna Woodsmall.

Visitation was held at Cantrell Funeral Home from 1-6 p.m. on Friday, April 17.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Kimball Baptist Fellowship Church in Kimball with pastors Alan Cook and Dallas Powell officiating. Burial followed in the Kimball Cemetery.

Visit http://www.cantrellfh.com to view Rich’s Tribute Wall and leave condolences for the family. Memorials have been established to the Kimball Baptist Fellowship Church or the family. The services for Rich were entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.