SAMUEL “LEX” ELLIOTT

Samuel “Lex” Elliott, 89, of Cassville passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at Roaring River Health & Rehabilitation in Cassville. He was born in Carnegie, Okla. on Oct. 12, 1935; the son of Sam and Lois Elliott.
He graduated in 1953 from Pawnee High School in Pawnee, Oklahoma. On  June 1, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Clara Tull, and soon after, they moved to Bartlesville, Okla. where he started a career in the Research & Development Department of Phillips Oil Company. Together they had three daughters: Cynthia Diane, Vicki Lynn, and Patricia Sue. In the early 1960s he became a Prudential insurance agent in Ponca City, Okla. There he achieved many sales awards, including Top Salesperson in the state of Oklahoma several times.
In 1971, they ventured to Cassville. He seized the opportunity to combine his passions for farming, wildlife, and being outdoors, with his desire to share those passions with his family, and began building Roaring River Deer Park located on Highway 112. He was also employed at Southwest Schools in Washburn where he was the Transportation Superintendent for 20 years. After selling the Deer Park and retiring from Southwest Schools in 1990, he and Clara purchased the Roaring River Resort. They lived at and operated the 20-cabin resort and developed a 20-site RV and campsite.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cassville and regretted being unable to attend services the last few years because of his deteriorating health.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Clara; daughters: Cindy (Scott) Carney of Monett, Vicki (Greg) Horton of Paola, Kan. and Patty (Jeff) Johnson of Cassville; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, and his beloved fur baby, Romeo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and half-brother, Daniel Elliott.
Services were held on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Scott Carney and Pastor Rick Cooper conducted the services. Burial was held on Monday, Jan. 6, at Highland Cemetery in Pawnee, Okla. near other family members.
Contributions may be made to Roaring River Health and Rehabilitation in his memory.