Elmer S. Moss Jr.

Died: May 9, 2008

Elmer S. Moss Jr., 82, of Greeneville, died Friday at his home.

His family provided the following statement: "He was born Aug. 6,1925, in Polk County, Ga. He lived on the Moss farm in the Lake Creek community until the age of 18.

"After graduation from Cedartown High School in June of 1943, Elmer went to Akron, Ohio, to live with his uncle, T.C. Moss and his family. While in Akron, Elmer was employed by the Goodyear Aircraft Plant helping to build the Navy Corsair fighter plane.

"Mr. Moss was drafted into the U.S. Army and inducted into service on Nov. 18, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio. Elmer reported for active duty on Dec. 9, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio.

"He was sent to Flora, Miss., and assigned to 143rd Ordnance Automotive Based Battalion for basic training on Jan. 1, 1944. After completing basic training and two weeks furlough, he was sent to Red River Ordnance Depot near Hooks, Texas, about 20 miles from Texarkana, Texas, for technical training.

"Mr. Moss and his unit were shipped to the European Theatre of Operations in early August. He served in Europe for 21 months and received three campaign stars for the Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes campaigns. He was discharged with the rank of technical sergeant in April of 1946.

"He graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA degree. He was then employed by the J.C. Penney Company for 35 years and managed retail stores in South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. He retired on Aug. 31, 1985.

"Mr. Moss married the love of his life, Lillian Inez George Moss, on Aug. 6, 1950."

In addition to his wife, survivors include two children and their spouses: Michael Richard and Louise Moss of Houston, Texas, and Janice Marie and David Southerland of Lawrenceville, Ga.; two granddaughters and a grandson-in-law: Jenny Diane and Charles Gargotta and Rachel Nicole Moss, both of Houston; one grandson: Corey Davis Southerland of Lawrenceville; and two great-grandchildren: Anthony Vincent Gargotta and Catherine Danielle Gargotta, both of Houston.

The family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m. today at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.

A memorial service will follow visitation at 4 o'clock in the funeral home chapel.

The Rev. Dr. David Green will officiate.

Condolences may be sent to the Moss family online at www.doughty-stevens.com