Lowell "Corky" Elliott 1.15.2026

Lowell was born on April 14, 1928, to F. Benjamin and Gladys Elizabeth Elliott in Dawn, MO. Near the time of Lowell's birth, a baby named Corky was born in a popular comic strip. Lowell was given the family nickname of Corky which followed him all his life.

In 1939, Ben and Gladys moved the family to Columbia, MO. The object of the move was so their five sons could have the opportunity to attend the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

When Corky was in junior high, he learned to play the tuba. He continued to play the tuba in high school in the Marching Mizzou band at MU. Stephens College was an all girls college in Columbia and had no tuba player. Corky was asked to play the tuba in the Stephens College band, which he enjoyed very much. Lowell was born on April 14, 1928, to F. Benjamin and Gladys Elizabeth Elliott in Dawn, MO. Near the time of Lowell's birth, a baby named Corky was born in a popular comic strip. Lowell was given the family nickname of Corky which followed him all his life.

In 1939, Ben and Gladys moved the family to Columbia, MO. The object of the move was so their five sons could have the opportunity to attend the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

When Corky was in junior high, he learned to play the tuba. He continued to play the tuba in high school in the Marching Mizzou band at MU. Stephens College was an all girls college in Columbia and had no tuba player. Corky was asked to play the tuba in the Stephens College band, which he enjoyed very much.

Corky obtained a BS in Agriculture from the University of Missouri. He entered the Army in September of 1946. He was stationed in Trieste, Italy, in the 98th Army Band.

After his service in the Army, corky returned to Columbia, where he held various jobs. A co-worker set him up on a blind date with Joann Acton. Corky and Joann were married on November 15, 1959. On June 16, 1966, their son, Glenn Edward was born. The three of them moved to Porterville, CA, in January, 1967, where their daughter, Carla Dawn, was born on September 25, 1968. The family moved to Visalia in December of 1970.

Lowell started working for CalTrans in April of 1968. It was there he got the nickname of Ole. Ole retired from CalTrans in July, 1991.

After his retirement from CalTrans, he and Joann started their part-time fun careers with Enterprise Rent-a-car. The first several years, they transported vehicles all over CA and neighboring states. Then, Corky spent several years helping around the ERAC airport office. He had many fond memories of his ERAC family.

Corky is survived by his wife, Joann, son, Glenn Elliott, daughter and husband, Carla and Fabian Juarez, grandsons, Mason Juarez, Nathan Elliott, and Preston Juarez, granddaughter, Brigette Elliott, brother and wife, Ed and Martha Elliott, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Gladys Elliott, and brothers, Floyd “Doc” Elliott, Wayne Elliott, and Jay Elliott.

Lowell is a member of Gateway Church and American Legion Post 785.