John Elie, 52, of Youngsville, NC, died unexpectedly on June 21, 2022, after a battle with PTSD.

John was born on May 10, 1970, to Ray Elie and Deb Chamberlain. After a time at Penn State University, John enrolled in the Army. Stationed in Fayetteville, NC, John was given the best gift of his life, a son Joshua from his wife Nikki. Many years later, John decided to join the private sector and began his career at BOSE. In 2002, John successfully climbed the BOSE corporate latter and ended up in Durham, NC, where he met his upstairs neighbor, Jennefer. John and Jennefer married in 2006 and settled in their new home in Durham, NC. Eventually moving to Youngsville, NC, John enjoyed learning everything he could about plants, the property, and his future love, bees.

John was a force of nature. Whatever he set his mind to, he was determined to get done. John was known for being incredibly passionate about his work as a Project Director within Clinical Research. He excelled in the exacting nature this work required. He made friends and earned the respect of so many of his peers. He shared his passion for his craft through mentoring others and would do anything for anyone. Smart and a perfectionist, almost to a fault, John was very precise and would describe himself as occasionally being “stubborn.”

Anyone who knew John is to have laughed with or shared a funny story. Being social was a special gift upon which John was bestowed; those around him were drawn to his infectious and ebullient story telling. Because he was a big kid at heart, his nieces, nephews, and all animals adored. He was a practical joker with a generous heart of gold, never hesitating to help people out.

He is survived by his parents Ray and Sue Elie, Deborah Chamberlain and Keith Mildenberger, wife Jennefer, his son Joshua, his granddaughter Serenity Nicole, soon to be daughter-in-law Sabrina Hurley, his sisters and their families (Carla Elie and Gavin Motes; Brad, Amber, Kylie, and Carter Long, and his best friend Mike Lizada.

No services will be held (at John’s request), but a “Celebration of Life” is expected to be scheduled for the fall. More information to come. Please attend this party with joy in your heart and only remember the good times. Also, no flowers please!

The family requests that in leu of all flowers and notes, we ask for donations for Saving Grace Animals for Adoption. John felt a passion for giving all beings a second chance.   

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