- Date Of Birth: November 29, 1937
- Date Of Death: November 9, 2013
- State: Colorado
Elmer Goldman Jr. was born on November 29, 1937, to Elmer Goldman and Hallie Spears. He was the oldest of three children. He grew up with his brother, Ronnie, and little sister Eileene in Nowata, Oklahoma. As a child, Elmer was raised by his mother and stepfather, Raymond Vann. Elmer was a very athletic child. He played football, basketball and was always attending school activities. Elmer attended Lincoln High School in the Nowata School system. Immediately after high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army because he wanted to serve his country. He served 14+ years in the U.S. Army. While serving his country, he fought in the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1959. Shortly after leaving the military, he and a friend decided to travel to California by car. The car broke down in Denver, Colorado and since the repairs were so costly, they had to get jobs. Their plans were to stay until the repairs were complete. They both liked Denver and decided to stay. During Elmer’s stay in Denver, he met the love of his life, Lillian A. Monk. Lillian and Elmer married on October 20, 1960 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had seven beautiful children. They had three daughters; Michelle, Donna Kay (Hoppy) and Kim and four boys; Randy, Steve, Eric, and Michael Jay. Elmer’s goal in life and primary focus was to provide for his family. He started working April 22, 1972 at the Rocky Mountain News. Elmer worked at the newspaper company as a truck driver for 20 years. He retired on September 17, 1992. Elmer was an animal lover. He loved fish, birds, and many dogs. He would leave food for birds, rabbits and squirrels outside. Some of the names of his favorite pets were Boobaker, LuLu, Blackjack, Snowflake and Roscoe. In his free time, Elmer also enjoyed spending time with his best friend John Dukes and Levi Franklin who he worked with at the Rocky Mountain News. He also enjoyed spending time with his brother, Ronnie. They all would talk, share stories, listen to James Brown’s music and enjoy cocktails. He will be missed by his good friends, Johnnie Walker Red, and Gussie Robinson. His favorite hobby was fishing. On the weekend, he would take the family fishing or camping. He was known for inviting others to join the family on their trips. Elmer believed that everyone should know how to fish, so if you did not know how to fish, then he would teach you. During his lessons, he would tease the beginner fisherman just for fun. He also enjoyed spending time with other fisherman on the lake. Elmer loved sports. He was an avid Denver Broncos and Oklahoma Sooners fan. He watched every game and cheered them on. During the games, he would not hesitate to let everyone know that his favorite team would win. Elmer enjoyed taking trips to Central City and Blackhawk. He would tell his friends he was going to his “office.” When he had a good day he would say “I had a good day at the office.” When he had a bad day, he would say “I had a bad day.” He was a “Master Griller.” He would take an ordinary piece of meat and make it melt in your mouth. He would make his own special barbeque sauce for his famous tender ribs that everyone raved about. Elmer refused to share his recipe. He was preceded in death by both parents; his brother, Ronnie Vann; his sister, Eileen Vann, his two son’s, Randy Monk, Eric Goldman, and one daughter, Kim Goldman. On November 9, 2013, the sun set on the earthly life of Elmer Goldman Jr. in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Lillian Augusta Goldman, two sons, Steven Goldman, Michael Goldman; two daughters Donna Gordon and Michelle (James) Thomas, all of Denver, Colorado. He also leaves behind a 93-year-old Uncle Willie Spears of San Diego, California, seven grandchildren, Jerald (Denise) McGee, Toya (Amar) Rambo, Ciara Moore, Brittany (Jesse) Ramirez, Teagan Shirley, Seddrick Coleman and Erica Gordon; seven great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
