Walter D. Elmore

Walter Douglas Elmore died on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, 2024, at his home in High Falls, NY. Walter Elmore was born in South Fallsburg, NY, on May 29, 1929. He was the youngest of 11 children born to Rosa Lewis and Ray Elmore. He grew up on a dairy farm/boarding house. After working on the farm for his gap year, he entered Cornell University where he earned a BS in Agriculture Education in May 1952. He was commissioned as an Army officer upon graduation and served two years in the Korean War. There he operated two different petroleum supply points. After the cessation of hostilities, he set up and conducted an army Education Center. Upon his return to the States, he started work on his MS in Agricultural Education, also from Cornell University. He earned this degree in 1967.

He married Mary Pauline Trips on June 30, 1956, in Liberty, NY. With a job teaching at Greene CSD, they built a home in Greene, NY and started a family. After six years and four children, they moved to Slate Hill, NY, where he worked on his brother Floyd’s dairy farm. In 1963, he moved his family to work as a teacher at SUNY Delhi. His fifth child was born while there. In 1964 he came to work at Rondout Valley High School for four years, then Ulster BOCES for an additional 18 years. He worked as a teacher of Agriculture which included preparation for dairy farming, landscaping, conservation, and small-gas engines. He began working as the Fair Manager of the Ulster County Fair, part-time from 1977-1986, and full-time from 1986-1995.

Following retirement from teaching in 1986, Walter volunteered for twenty years as the Executive Treasurer for the NY FFA (Future Farmers of America). He also worked as the treasurer for the Marbletown Reformed Church for twelve years, as well as many years as their general handyman.

Walter is survived by his wife, Mary, and their five children and families; Doug and Tammy Elmore of Wake Forest, NC; Bruce Elmore, of Havelock, IA; Carolyn and Ron Edick of Poughkeepsie, NY; Tom And Janet Elmore, of Suffield, CT; and Anne and Steve Fecto, of Hinsdale, NH; and their 10 grandchildren: Crystal, Heidi, Cody, Kayden, Garrett, Calvin, Benjamin, Zachary, Elizabeth, and Kathryn; and 2 great-grandchildren, Shaun and Nohea-Lee.

He is predeceased by two sisters, Florence Gehrke and Dorothy Lounsbury and seven brothers, Arthur, Duane, Charles, Floyd, Kenneth, Francis, and Russell. He is mourned by his brother, Jim, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Marbletown Reformed Church, 3750 Main St., Stone Ridge on Saturday, Dec.14, 2024. Visitation with family will be held from 11 am to 12 noon, followed by a celebration service at noon. Memorial contributions can be made to the FFA Camp (www.nyffafoundation.org/memorial-gifts), the Rondout Valley Food Pantry (RVFoodPantry.org/donate), or the Marlbletown Reformed Church.