November 9, 1933 – July 24, 2011
ANDERSON, SC - Rayford F. Elgin, Sr., of 4506 Old Mill Road, Anderson, SC, husband of the late Gladys M. Elgin, passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at the Rainey Hospice House.
Born in Belton, SC on November 9, 1933, he was a son of the late Lonnie I. Elgin and Codie Sloan Elgin. Mr. Elgin retired from the United States Navy after 20 years of service as a Senior Chief Boilerman. He served aboard one aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown CVA 10, three destroyers, the USS John King DDG3 (Plank Owner), the USS Semmens DDG 18, USS Greenwood DE679. He served two tours of shore duty at the U. S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL and was a lifetime member of the USS Yorktown Association and the Tin Can Sailors. He retired from the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company after 22 years of service as an Authorized Nuclear Inspector. Mr. Elgin was married to Gladys M. Joncas Elgin for 40 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Survivors include his daughters, Raelyn VanCasteren and her husband, Jerry of Houston, TX; two sons, Rayford F. Elgin, Jr., and his wife, Melissa and Randolph Edward Elgin, all of Anderson; three step-daughters, Addie Romanowski and her husband, Stanley of Wisconsin, Maureen Tazbier and Judy Sutton of Illinois and five grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a grandson, Adam Clinton; brother, Rudolph Elgin and sisters, Grace Jones, Edna Carter and Evelyn Dowd.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church officiated by Father Paul William, OFM. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum with Military Honors.
The family will be at the residence. A Prayer Vigil will be held at McDougald Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 6:00 pm with visitation following until 9:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.