Elmer Charles Colwell

Elmer Charles Colwell, 80, went to his eternal home with Jesus on Friday, February 23, 2024. He was surrounded by his loved ones at his time of passing. His last breath on Earth was his first breath in Heaven.

Elmer was born November 5, 1943 to Elmer & Lillian Colwell in Inkster, Michigan.

Elmer was a Veteran of the United States Army and served in Vietnam. After serving our country, he worked for NASA and later became an Automotive Mechanic with the County of Orange for many years. Elmer rounded out his professional career working as a Custodian for the Vista Unified School District and Customer Service Representative for Kohl’s department store.

Elmer married Sharon Mae Colwell February 14, 1974. They spent their journey together in the Southern California cities of Whittier, Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Vista, retiring in Prescott Valley, Arizona in 2006. Elmer and Sharon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary several days before he passed.

Elmer had many interests. He loved classic hot rod cars and vintage airplanes. Elmer’s music choices consisted of classic rock bands such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Rolling Stones; he’d often randomly boast out a verse or two from either group when he was in one of his many groovy-good moods. Other passions included camping and traveling, target shooting in the desert, off-roading, computers, fishing, space exploration, old Westerns, and the movies Blazing Saddles and The Big Lebowski.

Elmer was an amazing husband and Dad. He made sure family came first. The Colwell's took many annual vacations over the years, including trips to the Dinosaur National Monument, Pismo Beach, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, and Hawaii. Elmer was involved in the YMCA Indian Guides (now called Adventure Guides), a program that brings fathers and sons closer together, spending quality time camping and learning valuable life lessons through various activities and challenges. Elmer was also a "techie" and could fix just about anything that tick’d or tock’d.

Elmer is survived by his wife Sharon and children; daughter Patti Colwell-Julagay and son-in-law Marc Julagay, grandsons Josiah, Joshua and Jacob Julagay, son Matthew Colwell and daughter-in-law Yvette, grandsons Matthew and Dillan Colwell, and son Jeffrey Colwell and fiancé Aly Nelson.

Services are scheduled to be held at Prescott National Cemetery on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 11:00AM with an off-site celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Yavapai Humane Society.