Elmer Samuel Medley

Elmer Samuel Medley April 18, 1933 - August 2, 2026 Elmer was an only child, born in Rappahannock County, Virginia to parents Frances Breeden and Herley Medley. He spent most of his childhood in Great Falls, Va. where he lived with his grandparents helping with chores on the farm. He attended Herndon High School where he played football for 2 years and graduated in 1952. Shortly after, Elmer enlisted in the Army and served from 1953-1955. Following his service in the army, Elmer worked for the DC transit as both a bus and trolley driver until1959. In 1958, he was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident where he was thrown about 100 ft and spent 94 days in the hospital. The accident left him with one leg shorter than the other and loss of smell. Elmer spent the next bulk of his life working as a mechanic and state inspector for a garage in Arlington, Virginia. His love for cars and ability to fix up old vehicles blossomed there. After leaving the garage, he began driving a tractor trailer for North American Van Lines from 1976 to 2003. His ability to pack a truck like a tetris grid will not be forgotten! Elmer closed out his professional life working as a parts delivery driver for NAPA Auto Parts beginning in 2003, and continued there all the way until fall of 2025. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Mary as well as his son, John. He is survived by his son Ben (Linda) and his daughter Jeanne (Bruce). Elmer had a total of 7 grandchildren - Paul Medley, Brad Medley (Joan), Pamela Grothe (William), Skyler Brockway (Ben), Travis Medley (Emily), Bryan Martin (Kara) and Erin Martin (Travis). He was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren - Allison Medley, James Medley, Grayson Grothe, Luca Grothe, Silas Grothe, Layne Brockway, and Lyla Brockway. Elmer will always be remembered as a hard worker and a kind and caring person who would have given you the shirt off his back. Family and friends were very special and dear to him. He loved working, continuing well past his 92nd birthday! He enjoyed reading, traveling, eating out, driving around just to pass the time and even sitting in store parking lots to people watch. His mind was like a steel trap, recounting memories from his lifetime all the way until the very end, and he had a fun sense of humor. Elmer will be missed dearly but also celebrated for the amazing 93 years he lived and loved. Elmer had the misfortune of suffering several life threatening illnesses the last 6 weeks of life. He was a fighter and refused to give up until the very end. He was very clear on his final wishes, one of which being adamantly against being buried in a necktie! He spent his final weeks surrounded by family and friends, and had the opportunity to tell everyone how much he loved them, as well as be reminded of how loved he was. Elmer requested no flowers and instead that donations be made to St Jude’s Research Hospital in his honor.