Elwood Gleason Sperry, 91, passed away at Life Care of Cleveland surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 15, 2018. Elwood was born in Streetsboro, OH on September 13, 1926, grew up working on the family farm, and attended Streetsboro High School where he played basketball and was in the top 10% of his class (of 10 people). He continued to work the farm with his father and one brother while his other two brothers served in the military.
Upon their return, Elwood enlisted in the Navy, served… Read More » as a radar technician, and acquired the nickname “POP” due to being two years older than fellow recruits, a nickname that has stuck until this day. Two years later, following an honorable discharge, he enrolled in the College of Wooster. After a letter addressed to Jane Marie Sedgwick was mistakenly placed in Elwood’s mailbox, he decided to find Jane and personally deliver it.
While working in the admissions office, Jane had seen Elwood’s picture and paperwork so she recognized him when he returned the letter to its rightful owner. That fateful encounter led to a beautiful courtship and long loving marriage. Jane, the love of his life, passed away on June 3, 2015, just three weeks shy of their 65th wedding anniversary.
Elwood’s employment with American Uniform Company brought his family to Cleveland in 1963. He was VP of Merchandising in charge of Direct Sales. He was always quick with a smile and kind word for everyone.
Following his retirement in 1994, Elwood spent time as a consultant in Russia and the Republic of Georgia through International Executive Service Corp. Proving the adage that you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy, Elwood and Jane moved to their farm near Etowah, TN in 1996. They may have lived in Etowah, but they never moved their “lives” from Cleveland.
They continued to be active at Broad Street United Methodist Church where they had been members since moving to Cleveland and where they made many long-term, dear friends. Elwood was happiest when spending time with family and friends and working on the farm. Elwood was an incredibly kind, strong, and gentle man, well known for his bright genuine smile.
He leaves a strong legacy of leadership and service. He devoted many hours volunteering at his church, Johnston Woods Retreat Center, Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland, Habitat for Humanity and other worthy causes. Elwood was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.
He is survived by his four children – David (Ruth) of Oak Ridge, TN; Steve of Etowah, TN; Fred (Jean) of Eugene, OR; and Kitty (a/k/a Kim) Barile (Lindy) of Sinking Spring, PA; 6 grandchildren – Jeremy, Robert, Jared (Amber), Kathryn (Kyle), Tyler (Emily), and Hannah; 5 great grandchildren – Haley, Eli, Rhomie, Ben, and Merritt; and 2 great-great grandchildren – Paxton and Mark; nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father Arthur, his mother Rena, his wife Jane, and his brothers, Lyman, Don and Art. For some reason Elwood expected to be on this earth for 92 years.
Therefore, a memorial service will be held at Broad Street United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 15th at 11:00 a.m., near what would have been his 92nd birthday, in celebration of his life so well lived. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church, 155 Central Avenue, NW, Cleveland, TN 37311; or to Habitat for Humanity, 300 Grove Avenue, SW, Cleveland, TN 37311. You are invited to share a personal memory of Elwood or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com.
Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Sperry family with these arrangements.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
