Thomas T. (Tommy) Elmore, Jr., passed away April 8, 2004 at age 88, after a brief illness. He was born in Jacksonville on September 11, 1916 and was the child of Thomas T. Elmore, Sr. and Margaret Williams Elmore. He lived in Jacksonville and later in Orange Park most of his life.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Capt. Holmes Elmore. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jane Brelsford Elmore; daughers, Jane Elmore Barnett (Harlow III) of Surprize, AZ and Anne Elmore Elliott; brother, Al Elmore (Phyllis) of Jacksonville; siter, Margaret Elmore Besse of Brandon, FL; grandson, Luther H. Elliott, IV and grandaughter, Taylor Gammon Webb of Orange Park.

Tommy was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High Class of 1932. He served as a Captain in the Army Air Force and a pilot during WWII, flying many missions over the “hump” in India and participating during the Berlin “Air Life” after the war. He was a B-25 instructor in Columbia, SC and served in several other areas during the war.

His first love was flying and he logged over 25,000 hours as a Captain for National Airlines prior to retirement. His zest for flying continued in challenges offered by sail planes (gliders) where he participated in many “meets’ in this and other countries.

He was a charter member of the North Florida Soaring Club where he took his last fllight from Herlong Field at 88 shortly before his exciting life came to an end. He was a charter member of the Steppers Club, a group formed by members of his high school days. He was also a member of the Florida Yacht club. His love for “wheels” and excitement was well documented early in his life where he was a consistent winner of automobile races on the sands of Jacksonville Beach prior to WWII and later as the oldest survivor of the original NASCAR race drivers of the now famous annual Daytona races.

He wrote a book (My Lucky Life) where he detailed his fascinating life as it unfolded in places all over the world. Tommy will deeply missed by his many friends, especially those in the Soaring world, where he was active almost daily, until his death.

Like so many others, his family wishes to thank the dedicated services of Northeast Florida Community Hospice for making his final days more pleasant and comfortable. A special thanks to his devoted friends and neighboors who helped care for him during this difficult time.

As Tommy requested, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made, in Tommy’s memory, to the Soaring Society of America, P.O. Box 2100, Hobbs, New Mexico 88241.

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