He graduated from Pilot Point High School in 1949 and North Texas State University (UNT) with a BBA in 1956.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1954.

Elwood married Rosemary Newton on December 24, 1955. They had a daughter, Penny, and a son, Perry. Rosemary passed away in 1972. In 1985, he married Mary Katherine (Kathy) Williams, who had a son, Michael and a daughter, Christy.

Elwood worked for TEMCO, LTV and Vought Aerospace in Grand Prairie, Texas. He retired in 1990 as the Manager of Budget Production Administration but returned for 3 more years to write the history of the company.

Elwood loved history of all kinds and it showed by the boxes of Bearcat football, cemetery, family and city history he collected. His love of Pilot Point was evident by the many hours he spent serving oil various boards and committees including: Pilot Point City Council, PPEF, Volunteer Fire Dept., Main Street History Comm., Masonic Lodge and Cemetery Assoc, and so many others. He was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2005.

Elwood is survived by his wife, Kathy, of Pilot Point; son, Perry Branum (Michele) of Haslet, Texas; daughters, Penny DeJernett (David) of Pilot Point and Christy Martin (Jack) of Lewisville, Texas; grandchildren, Ryan DeJernett, Dustin DeJernett, Katelyn Richardson (Robert), Cody Branum, Taylor Kelsay (Tyler), Jake Martin, Chasidy Heath (Jack) and Matt Williams (Amanda); and 14 greatgrandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Willie Branum; his siblings, Naomi O’Dell, Alvin Roy Branum, Bill Branum and James Branum; his son, Michael Williams; and his first wife, Rosemary Branum.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church in Pilot Point. Interment followed the service at the Pilot Point Community Cemetery in Pilot Point. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome. com Arrangements are under the direction of Terri Slay and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

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