Elva Dee Tedford, Sr.

Elva Dee Tedford, Sr., age 69, of Hot Springs, finally succumbed to his long, hard 4-year battle with pancreatic cancer on March 30, 2023.

Elva, mostly known as Dee, was born to Elva Lee and Mirlene Tedford on July 17, 1953, in Eugene, Oregon.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Thomas L. Tedford.

He attended Cutter Morning Star School.  He did his best to follow in his father’s footsteps and honorably served his country in the United States Army from January 1971 to December 1973.  He then came home and was an incredibly hard-working logger and trucker.  He then later reinvented himself and became one of the best welders around.

Elva Dee was a very patient man with tons of talent and worked so hard in life.  He had a heart extremely too big for his body; he loved way too much (just a hermit with feelings), but we knew how he felt.  Next to serving his country, he felt his greatest achievements were his grandkids.  He is no longer in pain and a child again with his Momma.

Elva is survived by his wife, Carol; his son, Elva Dee Tedford, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Monica Tedford; his son, Erik Tedford; his daughter, Erica Tedford-Morgan and son-in-law, Stacy Morgan; his daughter, Tammy Beason; his daughter, Kelly Ray; and his son, Rodney Ayers.  He was also survived by two sisters, Diana Loar and Lisa Lansdell; two brothers, Johnie Tedford and John Thomas Tedford.

A Military Honor Salute service will be held at 1:00PM, Friday, May 5, 2023, in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, AR.