Elton T. Caraway, Del Tech retiree
Elton T. Caraway, 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Georgetown home with his loving family by his side Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014. He was born in Leesville, Texas, May 19, 1931. He married Wilma Shepard Caraway Dec. 19, 1953, and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a jet engine instructor.
Elton retired in 1997 from Delaware Technical Community College, Owens Campus in Georgetown as an automotive instructor/department chair. Previous employment included automotive program chair for Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas, and Central Texas College based in Killeen, Texas. He was one of the first to represent CTC overseas, where he served as department chair for three and a half years and was responsible for 37 sites in four countries with more than 1,000 students in the automotive program.
His favorite hobby was rebuilding cars, especially fresh water-flooded cars and burned-under-the-hood cars. The greater the challenge, the better he liked it. He also enjoyed helping others with their car problems. He was an avid reader of automotive trade magazines. Sailing was a favorite pastime.
He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Seaford, American Legion Post 8 in Georgetown, National Association of College Automotive Teachers, a charter member of the Texas Technical Society, and a certified Master Automotive Technician, passing all eight tests in one day.
Elton was preceded in death by his parents, Pierce and Florence Carawa;, and a brother, Verlon Caraway.
Besides his wife of 60 years, Wilma, he is survived by his daughter, Jenna of Dallas, Texas; his son Gerald and wife Roseann, and their children Amber and Travis of Georgetown.
Other survivors include his brother Ruel and his wife Carol of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; a sister-in-law, Helen Caraway, College Station, Texas; a sister-in-law, Rilla Woodruff of Marshall, Texas; a brother-in-law, Arvel Shepard and his wife Louise of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; two special cousins, Be O’Neill of Kingsville, Texas; and Margie Hendry of Marshall. Elton also has a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service and celebration of Elton’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, at Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown, where friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. for viewing and visitation. A reception will follow at Wesley United Methodist Church, 102 N. Laurel St., Georgetown. Interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Delaware Technical Community College Educational Foundation, P. O. Box 610, Georgetown, DE 19947; The Alzheimer Association, 108 N. Bedford Street, Georgetown, DE 19947; Cheer Home Health Care, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Season’s Hospice Palliative Care, 556 S. DuPont Blvd, Suite 101, Milford, DE 19963, or a charity of your choice. We would like to take this opportunity to thank these agencies as well as our family and friends for their love and support over the last few years.
