Bob Elam

Interment will follow there at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with military honors.  
Visitation will be held today from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Elam passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at Alive Hospice in Nashville, surrounded by his loving family.
Bob was born May 31, 1948, in Columbia, son of the late Elbert Elam and Eula Mai (Reed) Elam. The family resided in Union City, where Bob attended and graduated from Union City High School. It was there that Bob met his bride to be, Jennifer Passmore, in biology class. The two went on and attended UT Martin and were married on Jan. 10, 1969.  
Bob then joined the United States Navy for three years and was honorably discharged June 10, 1972. Upon returning home, he finished college and began a 40-year career in the natural gas business. During his career, Bob was active in numerous associations that included the Tennessee Gas Association, Southeast Gas Association and the American Gas Laboratories Association, where he served on the board of directors for several years. He was active in Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.  
In 2006, Bob retired as vice president of operations of Atmos Energy Corporation. He was an active contributor to the Duck River Baptist Disaster Relief Team, a cause dear to his heart.  
His passions included a long list of outdoor activities such as hunting, target shooting, motorcycle riding and growing vegetable gardens. Bob loved watching his children and grandchildren grow up and was a constant factor in their lives. He so enjoyed teaching his children and others how to fish and was extremely active in Boy Scouts through the years. He had a passion for UT football and loved his wife and family beyond measure.  
Bob was an active member of First Baptist Church in Manchester, which was very dear to him. He will be forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Larry Elam.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Jennifer (Passmore) Elam of Manchester; his son, William “Bill” Elam and his wife, Sunday, of Spring Hill; his daughter, Bridgette Whitaker and her husband, David, of Smyrna; and three grandchildren, Ethan Whitaker, Cody Elam and Levi Elam. Also surviving is a brother, Billy Elam and his wife, Tammy, of Martin; two sisters, Mary Jane Quinton and her husband, Johnny, of Union City and Carolyn Smith and her husband, Billy Joe, of Columbia; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
Online condolences may be made at www.coffeecountyfuneralchapel.com.