Charles Philbert Elledge, age 83, died on September 10, 2018, at Mustang Creek Estates in Sachse, TX.
He was preceded in death by parents James Herbert Elledge and Mildred Frances Spires Elledge, and sister Phyllis. He is survived by his brother Bill, sister Jacque, daughters Kim Baca, Kristina Vaughan, Karen Walker, and their families.
Phil was born on May 2, 1935 on Nellie Paxton Farm in Kansas, IL. He graduated from Marshall High School on May 29, 1953. He served in the US Air Force from Feb. 1954 to Nov. 1957 where he trained as a draftsman and became known as Chuck.
In 1962, he moved to Wylie, TX to work for Continental Electronics on a very low frequency system with the capability to communicate with submarines around the world. Later he owned and operated a White's Auto Store. He was active in the Wylie Lions Club and served on the Wylie ISD School Board and as a Director for the Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce.
In 1979, he moved to St Charles, MO to work for McDonnell Douglas as a plan checker. There he learned to use Computer Aided Design. He participated in the development of the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet and A-12 Avenger stealth bomber. In the 1980s and 1990s, he became proficient in CAT and CADD electrical design and travelled to Switzerland, London, Germany, and Italy to teach others how to use their technical plans. Later he provided data management support to the Brimstone Weapons, F/A-18 Hornet, T-45 Goshawk and AV-8B Harrier programs. The company later merged with Boeing. He retired in July 2014.
He earned two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Business Management and Information Systems attending weekend programs at Maryville University in St Louis, MO, held a Master's Degree in Information Management, from Washington University, and was All But Dissertation toward a Ph.D. in Information Technology.
He was active in Lions Clubs International and served in many roles, such as District Governor, club president, and secretary. He was presented two Melvin Jones Awards. In Aug 2013, Lion Chuck traveled with six other Missouri Lions to Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico on an eyeglasses mission trip.
He loved adventure and had traveled in a hot air balloon, driven a NASCAR, and co-piloted a bi-plane.
A memorial is scheduled for Saturday, Sept 15th at 11:00am at Murphy Road Baptist Church. His ashes will be interred at Grandview Cemetery in Paris, IL. Donations may be made to Lions Clubs International Foundation, Dept 4547, Carol Stream, IL 60122.