Edward Tofte Elsmere

EDWARD “EDDIE” “ED” TOFTE ELSMERE

October 27, 1948- March 17, 2026

Our beloved Brother, Dad, DadDad, and Great DadDad, Edward “Eddie” “Ed” Tofte Elsmere passed from this life peacefully and into the arms of his late wife, Linda, on March 17, 2026, in Decatur, TX.

Ed was born on October 27, 1948, in Gary, Indiana to John Tofte Elsmere and Edith Ida Moser Elsmere. He married the love of his life, Linda Faye Hardee Elsmere, on February 1, 1989. That union lasted until Linda’s passing on September 16, 2021.

He was a proud veteran and honorably served his beloved country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He spent his adult life as an over the road truck driver for Challenge Transportation, a delivery driver for Acme Brick, and a correctional officer for the GEO Group.

Ed was the life and laughter of his family. He told jokes incessantly and loved to make his family laugh. He was the quintessential “jack of all trades.” His love for his children, Heath, Meredith, Jamie, and Jennifer, was the biggest pride of his life. He was always their silent supporter and loudest encourager. He made every effort to attend all their activities. He taught his kids to never be afraid to work on anything from house repair to brick landscape projects and would give them plenty of unsolicited advice throughout the project. He loved to cook and would make the best spaghetti sauce on the planet for his family and his kids to share with their friends.

As much as he loved being a Dad, being a DadDad meant even more to him. He spent countless hours cuddling, holding, talking, and loving his grandchildren. He could put them to sleep just with the touch of his hand. He continued the legacy of teaching them to build with their hands and to know tons of historical facts that will never be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, in 2021, his mother, Edith, in 2011, and his father, John, in 2020.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his son, Heath Elsmere, his daughters, Meredith Elsmere, Jamie Baird and her husband Jason, and Jennifer Rather Green. His eight grandchildren; Selma Dunn, Tyler Baird, Emilee Dunn, Ronyn Brady, Jaycen Brown, Aubrey Baird, Boston Baird, Camden Baird, and 1 Great Granddaughter, Addison Wright-Baird. He is also survived by his sisters; Elaine Sweitzer and husband Guy, Joanne Briney and Greg, as well as his nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.