Lee Elliott

Our friend and loved one, Lee Hobart Elliott, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at age 68 at his home in the Richardson Addition southeast of Fairfax, Oklahoma.  He was born on September 2, 1951.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Church, 5th and Mulberry, 161 N. 5th St, Fairfax, OK 74637.   The service will be led by Pastor Ronnie Smith, and good friend Terry Moore will speak.   Burial of his cremains will follow in a brief ceremony at Fairfax Cemetery.  The family will then return to the church to visit with family and friends.

Lee was well known in the Fairfax and western Osage County area for being a fun-loving tease who loved to visit.  His life-of-the-party personality led him to always tell jokes and stories to make people laugh.  He was always courteous to the ladies.  He also loved to fish and hunt.

He attended Greyhorse School for elementary education, and graduated in 1969 from Fairfax High School.  Lee was deeply involved in 4-H, serving as President for 2 years, a member for 8 years, a member of the judging team, and he showed calves competitively.  Lee was a good athlete, and played basketball 3 years, football 2 years, track 2 years, and baseball 1 year.  He participated in the weights program 2 years, and the school’s annual skits.

Lee was honored his senior year by being named to Who’s Who at Fairfax High School with the inscription, “Lee’s outstanding ability in athletics and great sense of humor both help and add to FHS.”  He was also honored as a Football All-District Honorable Mention.

Lee learned to cowboy from his dad and granddad, Bill and Hobart Elliott, and other area ranchers.  He became a good roper, and worked on cattle round-ups and ranching jobs on several ranches, including the Elliott Ranch, Steele & Elliott Ranch, and Charles Ripley Ranch.  After Lee volunteered and served in the Army during the Vietnam War, he worked for the Larry Wright Cattle Company.  He also worked as a pipeliner for various oil and gas pipeline companies.

Lee married Monette Sheridan, then of Fairfax and now of Pawhuska, OK.  They had an infant son, Hank William Elliott, who tragically died just before birth.  Then two beautiful daughters were born:  Nina Jo Elliott and Leah Marie Elliott.  Both were born and raised in Fairfax, and they greatly brightened Lee and Monette’s lives.  The girls fondly remember Lee buying them Mickey Mouse fishing poles and taking them on pond fishing outings.  The marriage sadly dissolved.

Lee then married Paula Claire Heath of Fairfax at Greybull, Wyoming, where Lee was working on a pipeline job.  Paula has been the love of Lee’s life ever since.  She has been Lee’s rock, his helpmate, and his devoted wife, while also caring for her extended family and people throughout the Fairfax community.  And everyone enjoys Paula’s meat pies.

Life wasn’t always easy for Lee and Paula, but Lee would give anyone the shirt off of his back.  Some say he took care of everyone except himself.  Heart bypass surgery slowed him down a little, and unfortunately predicted his death from a heart attack.

Lee was a Christian who regularly read his Bible and prayed, though he did not frequent churches.  When Lee was asked about that, he would say, “You don’t worry about it, it’s between me and God.” When his father was dying, he asked Rev. George Weston to go talk to him about his faith.  Lee’s spirit is now surely with God.

Lee is survived by his wife, Paula Claire Heath Elliott, of Fairfax, OK; his daughters, Nina Jo Elliott, of Lawrence, KS, and Leah Marie Elliott, of Tulsa, OK; his brothers, William Michael “Bill” Elliott, of Durant, OK, and Charles Lynn “Charlie” Elliott, of Pawnee, OK; Paula’s sons, Dennis Wedd and John Eric Wedd, both of Ponca City, OK; and many dear cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Lee was pre-deceased by his infant son, Hank William Elliott; his parents, William Hobart “Bill” Elliott and Betty Jo Files Elliott; his paternal grandparents, Hobart Frank Elliott and Beulah Fern Ballard Elliott; his maternal grandparents, Leon “Lee” Files and Wilma Carey McCrory Files; and Paula’s son, Doyle Wedd.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested for the Fairfax Food Pantry, 170 Richardson Addition Road, Fairfax, OK 74637.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, 201 N. 4th St, Fairfax, OK 74637, 918-642-3228.

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