West Columbia won’t be the same moving forward without Herb Elliott around. In recent years the nonagenarian was frequently seen peddling the popular hand-made knives he crafted at his home near the old oil fields just outside the West Columbia city limits. Herb often set up a booth inside Heritage Hall when the local Chamber of Commerce sponsored the many crafts on display each year around the Christmas holiday season. And just about every October he would donate one of his knives to be auctioned off at the annual Roughnecks Blowout.
Herbert Leroy “Sug” Elliott was born in West Columbia February 5, 1932, the son of Hubert Robert and Clara Mae Elliott. The curtain was closed on his long eventful life March 26, 2024, at the age of 92. His friend R.O. Murray said during Monday’s eulogy of Herb that the dates of birth and death of everyone are not nearly as important as the dash that separates them on a headstone. And, according to Murray, “Sugar Boy” Elliott’s dash was filled with many wonderful events and memories to, well, last a lifetime.
Murray remarked at Herb Elliott’s graveside memorial service Monday morning at Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest Cemetery in West Columbia that Herb’s candle was nearly snuffed out when he was still a young man. Murray said Herb was accidentally shot by a hunting buddy when the friend mistook the tall, thin “Sugar Boy” for an animal moving around in the bushes. But, as fate would have it, much more than a little buckshot to the head and upper torso would be needed to terminate Herb Elliott’s life.
After completing high school in West Columbia, Herb continued his education at Texas A&I University in Kingsville which is where he met his future wife, Katharine Faye. The former Roughneck student athlete served a few years in the U.S. Army after marrying Katharine in Brenham on June 7, 1953. Following his honorable discharge from military service, Herb and Katharine settled down in West Columbia where they raised their three daughters.
Herb worked for Phillips Petroleum for many years and later started his own heavy equipment business and oil field services company. In addition to Herb and his sister Bonnie Elliott attending school in West Columbia, Herb and Katharine’s daughters all grew up in their Daddy’s home town and were all Columbia High School grads.
He was preceded in death by his sister Bonnie and their parents, as well as his wife Katharine Elliott.
Survivors include his daughters Mary K Elliott Autenrieth and her husband Alan, Connie Elliott Garner and her husband Mark, and Penne Elliott Mayer; grandchildren Josh Autenrieth and wife Sara, Matt Autenrieth and wife Jenna, Colin Garner and wife Morgan, Andrew Garner and wife Allie, Madison Fritsch and husband Jake, and Connor McClain; great-grandchildren Drake Autenrieth, Gage Autenrieth, Zoey Autenrieth, Emily Autenrieth, Grayson Garner, Elliott Garner, Whitley Garner, Nathan Fritsch and Della Fritsch.
Herb’s grandson Josh Autenrieth has been a longtime Columbia Heritage Foundation board member.
R.O. Murray said at Herb’s graveside service Monday that “Papa Sug,” as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren called him, adored all of his daughter’s children and grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed speaking with each of them about their activities, attending their sports events while encouraging them along the way. His great-grandson Drake Autenrieth, an 8th grader at West Brazos Junior High School, proudly wore Herb’s purple shirt and cowboy hat to Papa Sug’s funeral Monday.
According to Murray, when Herb was telling one of his many stories, the listener always had to decipher whether they were listening to something that actually occurred, merely a joke or one of Sugar Boy’s tall tales. Herb always had many stories to tell about his experiences and thoroughly enjoyed spending his precious quality time with his family and many friends.
He was altruistic to a fault, believed in giving back to his community, served as a deacon in the Baptist church and was a longtime member of the West Columbia Lions Club. Herb was one of the original organizers of the Central Emergency Medical Service in West Columbia and always believed in helping out his neighbors and less fortunate members of his home town of West Columbia. Herb will be greatly missed by everyone involved with the Columbia Heritage Foundation. He was definitely an excellent role model to all of us.
Herb Elliott: a life well lived.