February 23, 1942 - October 4, 2025
Bradenton, Florida - A Manatee County legend, Elmer L. Fugate who loved being called "ELMO" and "ELMO FUD" passed away on October 4, 2025 at Blake Hospital in Manatee County.
He was born on February 23, 1942 in Hazard, Kentucky. Elmer served 4 yrs during Vietnam as a member of the Air force with an Honorable Discharge. He attended Manatee High School and graduated in 1960. He was well know by his classmates as one of the best basketball players Manatee County has ever seen.
His talent in sports was incredible. He was good at Golf, Basketball, Tennis and Baseball to name a few. He loved teaching children sports and was the coach for the local Hotshots team. He had many years working with children at the Boys Club in Manatee, County where he was once a director. He also was an Umpire for the National Softball Association and the St. Pete Half Century Softball Club where he had been inducted into their Hall of Fame. Elmer was a member of the Moose Club, Kiwanis Club and the Exchange Club. He loved the Kentucky Wildcats which is why he had a favorite color of bright blue. He loved the New York Yankees, Pirates Baseball, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays and the Florida Gators. He traveled to Spain and saw a bull fight. His favorite baseball player was Mickey Mantle and was there when they retired his number 7.
Elmer was a phenomenal person who was devoted to everyone he knew. He wanted to make sure that everyone knew how much he loved sports and that he had went to Spain. He often said he lived a great life. If you had ever met him his presence will forever be in your heart.
As his caretaker for Elmer always made sure that if the day came where he was no longer here that he loved me. If you would like to do something for Elmer's memorial, flowers can be sent to the National Cemetery in Sarasota for his service November 10, 2025 at 3 p.m. or you can make a monetary donation to any of the clubs he was affiliated with in his honor.
