NOTTOWAY COUNTY, Va. — Nottoway High School teacher, girls’ softball coach and NJROTC Naval Science Instructor Master Gunnery Sergeant Harry C. Elliott died of an apparent heart attack suffered Tuesday evening during his team’s softball practice, Nottoway High School Assistant Principal Reginald Wilson said. Elliott, a decorated Vietnam veteran who retired from the Marine Corps after more than 30 years of service, had worked at Nottoway High School for more than 20 years.
He had planned to retire at the end of this school year, Wilson said. A retirement party in his honor scheduled for Wednesday turned into a memorial for the man who touched so many lives.
“It is a tremendous loss because he was a huge asset to this county,” Lt. Commander John Klag with the school’s Navy JROTC program, said. “He was loved by our staff and students. Our prayers go out to his family.”
Elliott, 68, possessed a remarkable sense of intuition and a genuine love of his students, Assistant Principal Wilson said.
“He has been a grandfather and father figure to probably hundreds of students over the years,” Klag said. “His personal mentorship inspired confidence and motivation, and resulted in the successful transition of hundreds of young men and women into the adult world of gratifying civilian occupation and military service. This remarkable quality was his hallmark and is his legacy.”
The school system has planned a June 3 memorial at the high school so the community can come together and celebrate Elliott’s legacy.
“He was the one person who said I could be something,” former student Amanda Bradley said. “He impacted so many lives of the students over the years, even people who did not have him as a teacher.”
“He was the epitome of loyalty, mentor, friend, patriot and Marine,” Wilson said. “We were honored and proud to have worked with him these many years.”
Elliott’s funeral would likely take place in Hampton Roads, school leaders indicated.
