Dr. Charles Proctor Elliott, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 85. Ignoring the famous Dylan Thomas advice, Charles chose to go gentle into that good night on July 26, 2023, and was met by his loving parents and precious son, Christopher.
Charles was born to Charles Proctor Elliott, Sr., and Elizabeth Ann Stovall Elliott on December 4, 1937 in Plainview, Texas.
Following his graduation from Plainview High School, Charles earned his B.A. and M.A. in government with an economics minor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He then earned his PhD from his treasured University of Texas in Austin and became a Life Member of the Texas Exes of UT. He had spent a total of 34 years serving in higher education at Texas Tech, the State University of Iowa, Angelo State University, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M-Commerce (formerly East Texas State University) where he eventually became Professor and head of the Department of Political Science. He returned to full-time teaching after 15 years as department head and served as coordinator of the Legal Assistant Program and as the faculty sponsor of the student service organization, Alpha Phi Omega.
In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Elliott co-authored two textbooks on Texas government and politics and published a number of articles in the same field. He co-authored a study of the Texas product liability law and conducted research on Texas regulation of the tobacco industry. He also served as a consultant for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.
Professor Elliott served as president of the A&M-Commerce Faculty Senate and chaired the University’s Equal Opportunity Committee. He also chaired the Faculty Development Committee, the university’s Constitution Bicentennial Committee, and was liaison officer for the local chapter of the Texas Association of College Teachers.
Elliott’s professional honors and awards at A&M-Commerce include the Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Student Senate Outstanding Professor, Teaching Excellence Award, and Pi Sigma Alpha Teaching Excellence Award. He also earned a National Teaching Fellowship at the University of Texas in Austin.
The Commerce resident served 28 years in the United States Army Reserve, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1997. He held several Community Service posts. He has been a member of the Commerce Planning and Zoning Commission and Commerce Charter Review Committee.
Charles married Paula Chastain in San Antonio, Texas, on March 20, 1975.
He was predeceased by his parents and son, Christopher Elliott.
Charles is survived by his wife, Paula Elliott; his daughter, Kimberly Elliott and her husband, Peter Uimonen, of Austin, TX; his two brothers and sister-in-law, William Elliott of Fredericksburg, and David Elliott and Diana Claitor of Austin, TX; step-sons, Larry Chastain of Commerce, TX, and Michael Chastain of Wylie, TX; grandchildren, Baley Chastain of Upper Marlboro, MD; Garrett and Ryan Chastain of Wylie, TX; Labe, Alexia, and Abraham Chastain of Commerce, TX; Lilliana and Charles Boone Elliott of Austin, TX.
A Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends will be held at Commerce Funeral Home on August 26, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A committal service will take place at DFW National Cemetery in late October. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
