Dwight Donald Elam's Obituary
Dwight Donald Elam, 72, of Lexington, KY, and Fort Myers, FL, passed away on December 19, 2023. He was born September 12, 1951, to James and JoAnn (Stokley) Elam in Lexington, KY.
While Dwight and Becky have called Fort Myers their home for over twenty years, their journey with the Lord has taken them on many adventures.
Dwight was proud of being a Timothy of Broadway Christian Church, where he had many great Biblical mentors. Dwight and Becky met through a Christian Church rally and went to Bryan Station High School, graduating in 1969. They married on June 12, 1970, and Dwight graduated from Milligan College (TN) in 1973 with degrees in Education and Ministry. While at Milligan, they welcomed their first child, Christina Kelly.
Moving back to Lexington, Dwight and Becky served in ministry at Berea Christan Church, where they welcomed their second child, Andrew Scott, in 1977. Soon after Scott’s birth, they moved to Griffith, IN, where they served in ministry at Griffith First Christian Church.
From that ministry, they went to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, where Dwight was a professor at Kentucky Christian College. He served as a coach on several ball teams as well. He served as a minister at Lower Grassy Church of Christ.
They arrived in Versailles, KY, in 1982 and called Woodford County home for over a decade. Dwight and Becky served in ministry at Peyton’s Lick Christan Church for several years and then stepped out of “paid” ministry while Scott and Christi were of youth group age. He owned an Elam Electric in KY and FL and would be proud to say he drove himself to the hospital from work.
The Elams were active members of Broadway Christan Church, where they made many special friends and shared many special memories. These include countless shared meals, Behold the Lamb Easter Musical Productions, Christmas productions that include live sheep and donkeys, and Dwight’s beloved Broadway Christian Church Softball team, where he played and coached for many years.
Once Scott and Christi were out of the house, he returned to full-time ministry, moving to serve at Port Charlotte (FL)First Christian Church. After a stint in FL, they moved to Georgetown, KY, to serve at Northside Christian Church. Once the grandchildren were born, he felt called to come back to Florida to see the kids grow up, and he was fortunate enough to see the boys grow up next door. He served as the minister at First Christian Church Punta Gorda until his passing.
While those are the facts, there are countless stories of lives changed eternally through the ministry of Dwight and Becky. There are hundreds of baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Thousands of phone calls and hospital visits. Their ministry has and will continue to impact the lives of generations. He was a youth minister, minister, coach, rev, and mentor to many who are now in the ministry. Many generations are raising their children in the love of the Lord because of their ministry. The Lord called him at a young age to be his disciple and a tent-maker. He was so grateful for that opportunity and for being a humble servant of the Lord.
Dwight and Becky didn’t retire to Florida. They were busy working but also found time to be active community members. Dwight was proud of his service to the Sons of the American Revolution, the Masons, the Shriners, the Jamestown Society, the Sons of the Union, the 1812 Descendents Society, and the Descendents of American Farmers. He served in various capacities locally, statewide, and nationally for The Sons of the Amerian Revolution (SAR). He proudly served as the Chaplain General of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Dwight is preceded in passing by many friends and family, including parents JoAnn and James Elam, his son-in-law, and co-worker Ed Cerwinsky.
Dwight leaves his loving memory behind with his immediate family, Becky, wife of 53 years, Christi Elam Cerwinsky(daughter), Scott and Katie Elam (son and daughter-in-law), and his beloved grandchildren, Trey and Trier Cerwinsky, Jackson Cerwinsky, Madelyn, and Olivia Elam.
Dwight's family has entrusted Fort Myers Memorial Gardens with the care of his final arrangements. A celebration of life will be held on December 30, 2023, at First Christian Church of Punta Gorda, 4124 Taylor Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, at 2 pm. Please join family and friends for a pie supper reception following the service. Feel free to bring a favorite pie to share in the buffet. The service will be live-streamed at Firstchristianchurchpg.com.
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