Elwood W. London

Elwood W. London

April 18, 1932 – March 8, 2014

Elwood W. London, age 81, of Montrose died March 9, 2014 at Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose.  Elwood was born April 18, 1932 to William and Lottie (Pless) London in Waurika, Oklahoma.  He was the fourth of five children, who have all preceded him in death.  He spent his childhood on a farm in the Red River Valley of Oklahoma and then several years in Fresno, California.  He graduated from high school in Waurika, Oklahoma and then attended Oklahoma University and Oklahoma State where he received a degree in Electronics/Computer Engineering.  He married his wife, Patricia in 1974 in Conifer, Colorado, and she survives.  They were members of the United Methodist Church in Montrose.  Elwood was a member of the Scottish Rite, Society of Professional Engineers and NARFE.

Elwood joined the Federal Aviation Administration and served thirty years.  Four of these years were in Saudi Arabia as a Technical Advisor for their Civil Aviation Bureau.  Then upon retiring from the F.A.A., he joined the International Civil Aviation Organization, an arm of the United Nations.  He again returned to Saudi Arabia and worked for the United Nations for two years.  In 1999 the London’s moved to Montrose to retire where Elwood enjoyed the mountains, fly fishing, golf and most especially music and woodworking.

Surviving family members include his wife, Patricia; sister-in-law Kay Karins of Montrose; son Ron and Janet London of Albuquerque, New Mexico; stepsons Todd and Alexis Hunter of Corpus Christi, Texas and Brad and June Hunter of Reno, Nevada.  Elwood’s oldest son Gary passed away last year, but daughter-in-law Marleta London resides in Manassas, Virginia.  In addition, he has seven grandsons, one grand-daughter and one great-grand-son.

A Memorial Service in celebration of Elwood’s life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Montrose on 1st and Park in Montrose, with Reverend Steve Reinhard officiating.  Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Elwood London to the Montrose United Methodist Church, 19 S. Park St., Montrose, Co. 81401 or to Hospice and Hope West, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Co. 81402.  Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory, Montrose, Colorado.