Obituary of Elmar Lafayette Gist

Elmar Lafayette Gist Born in Cleburne, Texas on September 14, 1921 Departed September 27, 2009, Vancouver, Washington Resided in Camas Elmar Gist passed away on September 27th, two weeks after his 88th birthday. Elmar was born in Cleburne, Texas and graduated from Cleburne High School in 1939. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served with the Eighth Air Force in England. Following his discharge in 1945, he resumed his college education at the University of Texas. He later graduated from North Texas State University now the University of North Texas in 1947. Elmar was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Barbara Tidland Gist. Elmar was a member of the Masonic Lodge and both he and Barbara were active in the Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas and Camas. Elmar's career was in life insurance sales for 31 years and he was also concurrently a professional photographer for 17 years. He is survived by his sister Martha Brown of Cleburne, TX, daughter Barbara Ann Page and husband Howard Page III of Beaverton, OR, his son Thomas Elmar Gist and wife Karen of Camas, and his son Douglas Wilson and wife Joan of Milwaukie, OR, in addition to seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a third on the way. Following a family graveside ceremony at the Camas Cemetery, Elmar's family and friends will celebrate his life at the First United Methodist Church of Vancouver on Saturday, October 10th, 3:00 pm. You may also sign the Guest Book online by visiting www.straubsfuneralhome.com and clicking on Obituaries. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 800-241-GIFT, or the Ray Hickey Hospice House, Vancouver, 360-514-4350. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of the arrangements.