Thomas Lake Elrod

Thomas “Lake” Elrod passed away at home on Wednesday August 13, 2025 from cancer. Lake was born on July 8, 1948 in Charlotte, NC to Charlie and Inez Elrod. He grew up in Charlotte and was a proud Myers Park Mustang graduate. He attended college at UNC – Chapel Hill and was a lifelong Tar Heel. After college, he returned to Charlotte and finished his degree in accounting at UNC-Charlotte. He had a long career as a CPA and enjoyed working with numbers. He was a faithful, lifelong member of Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian church and was active in church life, serving as a deacon for two terms, an elder for one term and serving as the Treasurer of the church. Lake enjoyed watching football and basketball, reading, spending time at the beach, golf (when there were no alligators on the course) and spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters.

Lake is survived by his wife, Kay Elrod of 40 wonderful years, his daughter Jane Venick (Carly), daughter Kelly Lanning (Kirk), 2 granddaughters Ruthie and Sidney Venick, brother Charles Elrod, sister Susan Elrod and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Inez Elrod and his first wife Ruth. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful people who helped Lake during his journey with cancer including Dr. Vernon Mackie, Kristin, RN and all the staff at Levine Cancer Institute Ballantyne, Toni and Shannel, fantastic home health aides from Personal Home Care Services, and the teams at Adoration Home Health and Via Health Systems Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in memory of Lake to the American Cancer Society. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday August 30, 2025 at 1pm at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church (2929 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC).