Birth date: Aug 3, 1939 Death date: Sep 28, 2020
Elmer Redden, 81, of Columbia, MO, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2020 at his home. Services will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 12:00 PM at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbia. Visitation will be from 11 AM Read Obituary
Dearest Uncle, you taught us so many things and touched our lives in amazing ways. We remember driving to Columbia with Grandma and Aunt Gertrude to pick you up at Wabash Station when you returned home after serving in the U.S. Army in Texas and later at Fort Leonard Wood. You were handsome and youthful in your Army uniform as you got behind the wheel of your bright red and white Ford that day in the 1960s. We remember Grandma shed tears of joy and surprise because she did not know we were coming to meet you. Now, she and Grandpa are welcoming you home in heaven.
Riding in your car was a memorable experience because you always had music playing on your beloved 8-track cassettes. Listening to your favorites from Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Tower of Power, and many others turned every ride into a concert experience. You opened our ears and our imagination in so many ways.
Throughout the years, you taught us how to fly a kite, to hold a bow and arrow, to hunt and fish, how to drive, and how to change the oil in our first cars. You delighted in being Santa at Christmas every year. You loved gadgets big and small, from “modern” tape decks to electric guitars and amplifiers to the British MG sports cars you rebuilt and brought roaring back to life, giving us our first ride in a convertible as we flew across the cow pasture down home. We remember what a genius you were at diagnosing and repairing cars, from your early years at Western Auto and throughout your career until you retired from Elite Automotive as a highly respected master mechanic.
You did not talk much, but your actions, your devotion, and your generosity spoke louder than words. You were an original. One of a kind. We love you and miss you. We will always remember you.
Such a kind a warm-hearted person. He will be missed by many. Fly high Elmer!
Maceann, Our prayers are with you today and in the days to come God will take care of you.
Vanessa Hickem
