Dewey Elmore Jr.

Dewey Elmore, Jr., aka “Big Dewey”, of Shalimar, Florida, passed away peacefully at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the age of 92.

He was born on September 20, 1933, in Dothan, Alabama, to Dutchie Lee Johnson Elmore and George Dewey Elmore. Dewey graduated from Baker High School with the Class of 1954. Following graduation, he received several basketball scholarships offers and planned to attend Troy University, but “Uncle Sam” had other plans. Dewey entered the United States Army, completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before being stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served in the Signal Corps. While at Fort Hood, he became a lifeguard at all seven of the base’s swimming pools—a job he thoroughly enjoyed.

After serving two years in the Army, Dewey returned home to Baker, Florida, traveling by bus and walking the final stretch to his family home.

Dewey later worked for Vitro in Fort Walton Beach before beginning a career with Okaloosa Gas District. It was there that he met the love of his life, Gussie Nelson. The two were married on January 10, 1963, beginning a devoted partnership that would span more than six decades.

After nearly 40 years of service, Dewey retired from Okaloosa Gas District in 1990. Retirement, however, never slowed him down. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting deer and elk, mullet fishing along the Gulf Coast, and salmon fishing in Alaska. Dewey was also known for frying mullet every weekend at Sandestin, where friends and family would gather to enjoy good food and great company. He never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Dewey is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Gussie Elmore; his son, Dewey “Little Dewey” Elmore III; his brother, Cecil Elmore (Carolyn); his sister, Billie Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dutchie and George Dewey Elmore; his brothers, Buford Elmore, Ray Elmore, and Robert Elmore; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Johnson.

A funeral service will be held at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on Monday, March 9, 2026 beginning at 2:00pm. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.

PLEASE NOTE: The livestream screen will populate to the time zone you are in and may differ from the announced central time zone service.   If you are using a desktop computer to livestream the service, please “TURN MUSIC OFF” under the photo on this page