Rex Kenneth Elmore

Rex Kenneth Elmore, age 81, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away at a local
hospital Sunday, July 17. He was born June 20, 1941, the son of the late R.K. and
Frances Elmore, Chattanooga. He was also preceded in death by his first wife,
Nancy Collins Elmore, of 34 years.
Rex is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Patti Schultz Elmore, Chattanooga.
Son, Richie Elmore (Karen), Cookeville, Tenn. Daughter, Mista Elmore Gallmon
(Jeff), Dalton, Ga.; grandchildren, Shelby Wilson Moore (Cody), Fort Oglethorpe,
Ga., Connor Wilson, Dalton, Ga., Emily Elmore, Cookeville, Tenn., Annalee
Gallmon, Dalton, Ga. Three step-granddaughters, Jessica Gallmon, Dalton, Ga.,
Kaila Hawkins (Tyler), Chatsworth, Ga., and Jenna Gallmon, Dalton, Ga.; six great-
grandchildren.
Rex graduated Central High School in 1959. He was a platoon leader, sergeant and
lieutenant in the ROTC. After graduation, Rex attended UTC, then McKenzie
College, acquiring a degree in Automated Accounting in 1962. He was active in
baseball, basketball and boxed in the local Golden Gloves light-weight division.
During high school, Rex began working for his father at Elmore’s Gulf Station on
Ringgold Road in East Ridge, and would continue to work there part-time until
returning full-time in 1970. Immediately after college, Rex worked in advertising
for Sears Roebuck; sold farm equipment for several years (salesman of the year
1963); worked as a deputy sheriff for J.D. Stewart, Catoosa County, Ga., and
worked at Tower Credit and Avco Financial Services for a while. He also worked at
Super Tufter Machine Company as a draftsman and sold batteries for Causey
Battery Company in Chattanooga. He opened the first interstate Gulf Station in
Ooltewah, Tenn., and then opened the first Bradley County Interstate Gulf
Station. In 1970, Rex went back full time to Elmore’s Gulf Station to manage the
day-to-day operations of the family-owned business until his retirement in 2016.
Rex was a member of many civic organizations throughout his career, and chair of
many fundraising committees, including vice president of the Lakeview Jaycees;
charter member of the Fort Oglethorpe Optimist Club (vice president, president

and Optimist of the Year in 1970, and Lt. Governor of the Optimist Club of
Georgia). Rex was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, #755, East Ridge,
Tenn., (since 1962), and a lifetime member of the Alhambra Shrine (since 1965)
serving the following roles: Director of units, crippled children; Chairman, Mosque
Board, Publicity Chairman, first chairman of the Shriner’s Bass Tournament.
National Imperial Shrine public relations committee; charter member and first
lifetime member of the Order of the Q. He was recognized as Shriner of the Year
twice. He was elected as Potentate in 1999; president of the Tennessee Shrine
Association 1998-99; he was also a member of the York Rite and Scottish Rite.
Rex was a member of the Central High School (CHS) Alumni Association, and
chairman of the golf tournament (seven years) established to resurrect the CHS
Alumni Association. He was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from
CHS. Rex was a charter member of the Grim Reaper Hot Rod Club, which operated
out of the Hixson Drag Strip. He raced drag cars for Ford, NASCAR division, from
1965-1970; In the 70s, Rex was a member of the Tennessee Retail Gas Dealers
Association; he was also president of the Indian Springs Community Club,
Graysville, Ga.
Rex’s greatest enjoyment besides being with his family was raising funds for the
different organizations that enhanced the lives of children.
Rex’s favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing, stock car racing, NASCAR, UTC
and UT sports programs.
The family will hold a celebration of life Saturday, July 23, from 6-8 p.m., at Oaks
Coffee House, 2916 Silverdale Road, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Arrangements by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Chatsworth, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any donations to go to the Transportation
Fund of the Alhambra Shrine of Chattanooga, 1000 Alhambra Dr., Chattanooga,
Tenn., 37421.

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