Richard Elmer Ware died in the hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 2, 2013. He was 82 years old. Elmer was born in Omaha, Arkansas, on February 16, 1931, to Lydia and Frank Ware. His family moved to California in 1935, then moved to Lakeport in 1945. Here he met and married June Abercrombie on November 22, 1950. They had three children, Douglas, Karen and Annette; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. When he first came to Lakeport, he met Bob and Jack Campbell and a fist fight occurred. They became great friends after the introductions. Elmer served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman during the Korean War. He was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco and Nellis Air Base out of Las Vegas. He once hitchhiked from Nellis to Lakeport for a three day pass. Elmer drove logging trucks for a while then went to work for his father-in-law, Sailor Abercrombie. He eventually bought the business and ran it until he moved to Nevada. Elmer moved to Reno where he worked first for Purina and then as a blackjack and roulette dealer. Later he moved to Las Vegas and continued to work in the casinos. He also worked security until retirement. Elmer raced a jalopy on the dirt track at the Lake County Fair Grounds. His number was 101. He and June bowled in several leagues and were hard to beat at pinochle. Friends in Lakeport still remember him even though he left 40 years ago. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be missed. Please share your memories by signing the guest book at www.legacy.com.

Source:  Lake County Record-Bee from June 8 to June 14, 2013