Former Dalton Mayor, Councilmember Passes Away At 85

Tuesday, July 11th, 2023

Ray Elrod, who served the citizens of Dalton for a total of two decades in public office first as a member of the city council and then as mayor, passed away on Monday. He was 85 years old. He's remembered as a loving family man and also as a loyal public servant who loved Dalton.. 

"Ray set the example for all of us with how much he loved the City of Dalton," said David Pennington who was elected mayor after Elrod stepped down in 2008. "Whenever any citizen called him knowing that he was the former mayor, Ray would get involved and make sure that their problem was solved with the City."

Caption: The late Raymond A. Elrod, Sr. served Dalton in elected offices for 20 years

"Mayor Elrod's service will be remembered and appreciated for many years to come," said City Councilmember Annalee Sams. 

Born in Ringgold, Elrod came to Dalton to work in advertising at the Daily Citizen newspaper after graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. He did not stay with the paper for long, however, moving into the textile and carpet industry as an entrepreneur and business owner. 

Elrod was also very interested in public service. He was elected to nonconsecutive terms as a member of Dalton's city council for a total of 12 years in the 1980s and 90s. He was then elected to two terms as mayor, serving from 2000 until 2008. During Elrod's time in elected office, the city completed a number of projects that changed the face of the community. Those projects included the construction of Dalton's City Hall on Waugh Street as well as the streetscape renovations to downtown Dalton that helped to usher in an era of revitalization in that area. 

He also was a member of multiple civic organizations, including the Dalton Elks Lodge, the Dalton Shrine Club, the Jaycees, the Dalton Masonic Temple, and Leadership Dalton-Whitfield. He also served as a member of Dalton's Recreation Commission.

The City of Dalton offers condolences to his wife Susan Elrod and all of his family and many friends.