* Elmer D. Waits; Retired School Custodian

Elmer D. Waits, the former head custodian for Ventura High School, died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 84.

Waits was born Nov. 2, 1915, in Caddo Mills, Texas, and moved to Ventura County in 1939.

Waits was a World War II Army veteran. After leaving the Army, he worked for Vanoni Brothers Ranches in Saticoy for 20 years.

He retired from the Ventura County School District in 1978, serving as Ventura High School’s head custodian for 22 years.

Waits enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends. Loved ones called him a true Southern gentleman who never had a harsh word for anyone.

Waits is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edith; daughter Jo Ann Choate of Oak View; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Waits was preceded in death by two sons, Weldon and Jerry, and his sister Clara Buffington.

Visitation will be today from noon to 5 p.m. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the Loma Linda Chapel, Ted Mayr Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.