Larry Michael Elliott's Obituary
Larry Michael Elliott, 49, of Muncie, Indiana, passed away Thursday, July 18, 2024, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
Michael lives on in those who love him, and they will continue to tell his story, which began on Nov. 5, 1974, in Columbia, Missouri. Born to Larry and Barbara (Cloud) Elliott, Michael’s life reflects his integrity and deep respect for others, his dedication to family and work, and his love for learning.
Easy-going and level-headed, Michael possessed abounding musical talents and a love for Catan and Fantasy Football. He made useful and beautiful things from wood, enjoyed breezy conversations on the golf course, and banter by the fire. Children and dogs adored him, and the Eagle Scout could build or fix almost anything.
Michael was a 1993 graduate of Hickman High School, where he played trombone and was drum major of the marching band, sang in all-state choirs, and competed as an all-state swimmer. In 1998, he earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal music from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was a tenor in University Singers and an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha. Michael earned a Master of Fine Arts in musical theatre from San Diego State University in 2002.
For the past 13 years, Michael was an associate professor and coordinator of the musical theatre program at Ball State University in Muncie. His voice students called themselves his “melliott babies,” and many referred to him as their “dad away from home.” From 2005-11, he was an assistant professor of musical theatre voice at Valdosta State University. He also served as adjunct faculty at San Diego State and Stephens College.
In 2013, Michael composed and conducted the score for an original adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” The new work was selected for The Kennedy Center’s 2014 American College Theatre Festival, during which Michael received a Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Composition. In 2015, Ball State honored Michael with its Creative Endeavor Award.
Michael worked as an actor, music director, and vocal instructor across the nation. His professional acting experience included National Tour performances of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and the San Diego premiere of “Bed and Sofa.” He music directed “The Threepenny Opera” at the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville and the world premiere of “Alice” at the Christian Youth Theatre in San Diego. For about six years, Michael directed, music directed, conducted, and performed for Peach State Summer Theatre in Valdosta, Georgia. He acted and built sets for Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado, California.
Michael valued the simple joys of life and was fully present as a proud husband, father, son, brother, uncle, teacher, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Kate (Heine) Elliott, and their children, Rose and William, of Muncie, Indiana; his parents, Larry and Barbara Elliott, of Columbia, Missouri; his sister, Erin Moore (Jeff); and her children, Connor Kespohl, Anna Welch (David), and Claire Kespohl.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, in the Rogers Whitmore Recital Hall in the University of Missouri-Columbia Fine Arts Building, 505 Hitt St. A second memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Ball State University’s David and Mary Jane Sursa Performance Hall, 1809 W. Riverside Ave. in Muncie, Indiana. https://sites.bsu.edu/musiclive/2024/08/09/michael-elliott/
Memorial contributions can be made to the children’s 529 educational funds at ugift529.com (enter code 919-J6T for Rose and C6F-W8V for William). You can also give to Ball State’s Department of Theatre and Dance Scholarship Fund (#8360) at bsu.edu/give.
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