Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One chaplain passes away

Charles “Chuck” Elliot, 76, a Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One chaplain, died July 11 at St. Anthony Hospital, the district announced Thursday.

He was surrounded by family, friends and members of Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One.

“Elliot served his position as chaplain with distinction, helping community members cope with difficult calls or a family member’s death. There was no hour too late for Chuck to respond and no address too remote for him to find, always arriving with a smile on his face,” Gig Harbor Fire wrote in a release.

Elliot, a Gig Harbor resident, served as chaplain for the district for five years.

Elliot was recognized by Chief John Burgess and presented The Chief’s Award for his service for 2014 at annual awards banquet in January.

In addition to the service Elliot provided for the community as chaplain, he served in the Navy for two tours in Vietnam on the USS Kitty Hawk and worked for the telephone company for 32 years before retirement. Elliot served as an assistant pastor and pulpit supply for area churches.

Elliot leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Jo; two daughters, Liane and Tracy; and a granddaughter, Kaitlynn.

A memorial service will be held at Discovery Baptist Church at 10 a.m. Saturday (July 25). A graveside service will take place at Haven of Rest Funeral Home at 1 p.m.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the SGT Gabriel De Roo Fund for Middle-east ministry. Gifts can be made to Discovery Baptist Church and marked for the De Roo Fund or given online at www.discoverybaptist.org.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 9:42 AM with the headline "Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One chaplain passes away."