Elliott Walter Varnum's Obituary
Elliott Walter Varnum, 75, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on August 18, 2024.
Elliott was born on July 4, 1949 to Hosea Walter Varnum and Edna Claudette Elliott. After graduating from Chipley High School in 1968, he went on to study Civil Engineering at the University of Florida. Elliott obtained his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering with Honors in 1977.
After graduating, Elliott began his career as a Civil Engineer at the City of Gainesville. In 1983, he and a partner went on to establish Nobles, Varnum & Associates, Inc. which became Varnum & Associates, Inc. in 1998. Elliott and Donna successfully ran Varnum & Associates Inc. until 2006 when they retired.
In 1972, Elliott met Donna, the love of his life and his soul mate. Elliott and Donna would have celebrated 42 years of marriage on August 24, 2024. Elliott brought 1 daughter (Rachael) to the marriage and Donna also brought 1 daughter (Brandi) to the marriage. Together, they had 1 son (Elliott Junior).
Elliott was an avid fisherman and enjoyed nothing more than taking his family out to his favorite offshore fishing hole, though coming home off the water to fry fresh fish and share it with those he loved was a close second. When Elliott wasn’t offshore, he enjoyed spending time on his river boat in the Ochlocknee River or on Lake Talquin reeling in the bream. He and Donna spent many years as University of Florida Boosters/Bull Gators and traveled to MANY Florida Gator football games. They also enjoyed making trips to Biloxi, MS where he could be found “putting it all on 21” at the Roulette table.
Elliott was predeceased by his father, Hosea and his sister Betty. He is survived by his mother, Edna of Chipley, Florida, his wife, Donna of Tallahassee, Florida, his children, Rachael of Fort Walton Beach, Brandi (Edwin) of Tallahassee, Florida and Elliott of Aloha, Oregon. Grandchildren: Paige of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Taylor of Tallahassee, Florida and Harleigh of Tallahassee, Florida.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 8, 2024 at 4404 Bradfordville Road, Tallahassee, Florida from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Youth Hunting Program or the Salvation Army in Elliott’s honor.
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