Author, Editor. Born on the Five Wells Ranch where his father worked, Elmer spent his early years living in the areas that would be featured in many of his future books and novels. He attended the University of Texas in Austin, majoring in journalism. His studies were interrupted by World War II, where he served as an infantryman in the European Theater. Returning to the University of Austin, he completed his studies in 1948, after which he was employed by the San Angelo Standard-Times as editor of the farm and ranch pages. In 1964, he became editor of Sheep and Goat Raiser magazine, and then the editor of Livestock Weekly until his retirement in 1990. The majority of his novels were written while he was working full-time at his editing jobs. His career provided him many opportunities to travel around the state of Texas, and as he gathered materials and notes for his magazine articles, he was also able to gain insight and stories about life in Texas. These anecdotes provided much of the inspiration for his books and novels. His characters were often a reflection of various people he knew when he was young, as well as others he met during his travels: hard-working and rough-hewn, with the inner toughness required for survival in Texas during the frontier times. His awards include seven Spur Awards, two Western Heritage Awards, and the Owen Wister Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the Levi Strauss Golden Saddleman Award for his entire body of work. His book "The Good Ole Boys" was made into a TNT network movie, directed by and starring Tommy Lee Jones. He was also honored with a star on the sidewalk at the Fort Worth, Texas stockyards. He died of natural causes.
Author, Editor. Born on the Five Wells Ranch where his father worked, Elmer spent his early years living in the areas that would be featured in many of his future books and novels. He attended the University of Texas in Austin, majoring in journalism. His studies were interrupted by World War II, where he served as an infantryman in the European Theater. Returning to the University of Austin, he completed his studies in 1948, after which he was employed by the San Angelo Standard-Times as editor of the farm and ranch pages. In 1964, he became editor of Sheep and Goat Raiser magazine, and then the editor of Livestock Weekly until his retirement in 1990. The majority of his novels were written while he was working full-time at his editing jobs. His career provided him many opportunities to travel around the state of Texas, and as he gathered materials and notes for his magazine articles, he was also able to gain insight and stories about life in Texas. These anecdotes provided much of the inspiration for his books and novels. His characters were often a reflection of various people he knew when he was young, as well as others he met during his travels: hard-working and rough-hewn, with the inner toughness required for survival in Texas during the frontier times. His awards include seven Spur Awards, two Western Heritage Awards, and the Owen Wister Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the Levi Strauss Golden Saddleman Award for his entire body of work. His book "The Good Ole Boys" was made into a TNT network movie, directed by and starring Tommy Lee Jones. He was also honored with a star on the sidewalk at the Fort Worth, Texas stockyards. He died of natural causes.
Bio by: Steve Niederloh
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