Edwin Elliott, Jr., 62, long-time Presbyterian pastor and journalist, died shortly after 5:00 p.m. October 11, with family and friends at his side. The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manassas, where Elliott had served for many years, asks for prayer for Edwin’s family and congregation.

Elliott was the son of a long-time PCUS minister who, with his church in Manassas, came into the Presbyterian Church in America at its formation. Elliott graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary in 1974, was ordained that June and installed as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in WaterValley, Miss. He then became associate pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Manassas, Va., to work with his father and then, eventually became the pastor of that church.

He was the editor of The Christian Observer for many years.

He maintained his connections with the Masonic Order throughout his life and left the PCA in 1986, along with the church, when the PCA passed a study report that declared that active Masons were not eligible for office in the church. He transferred his credentials from the PCA to the Reformed Presbyterian Church US.

Elliott suffered a massive heart attack on Friday afternoon and went nearly an hour before emergency personnel could get his heart restarted. The damages were significant, to both his heart and his brain and he was not breathing on his own.

The neurologist’s assessment Sunday, based on CT scans and other data, was that his brain was swelling and that the swelling itself would kill him in 72 hours, regardless what else was or was not done. The family decided to leave him on the respirator for a few hours more, to allow for goodbye visits, and then to disconnect life support that afternoon.

Visitation will be Tuesday, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the church. The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the church. A private internment will be held later in the afternoon. Directions and additional information may be found here.