JAN. 29-FEB. 4, 2024 24 · SBJ.NET NEWS member of the inaugural Men of the Year class in 2011. Life is full of surprises, according to Elliott. “There were so many miracles that happened for me to live,” he said. “I couldn’t figure out why I made it.” He noted the speed at which the news of his DOA status arrived in Washington, D.C., seems almost impossible – but during those initial hours after his heart attack were like lifetimes. “You might say I died again, again, again,” he said. “The first six hours, several times, they lost me and then they reshocked me. For some reason they spent more time on me than they would a normal citizen.” But Elliott had at least one friend in high places: Missouri congressman – and later a U.S. senator – Roy Blunt. And that connection seemed to be the difference-maker in the care he received, both immediately and in the days after. “They decided I was brain dead, and they wanted Glenda to sign some papers,” he said. “She said, ‘I’m not going to do it. You’ve got to let me see him.’ They let her come up. She whispered in my ear, and I responded, and they all clapped.” Powerful friend On the other side of the globe, Blunt was working on his friend’s behalf. It’s a time the former senator said he remembers vividly. “He’s a great friend of mine, and he has been for about 50 years now,” Blunt said in a Jan. 24 interview. “We had breakfast this morning.” Blunt said he called the U.S. Embassy in China and wanted to be kept up to date on how his good friend Gordon was doing. “For at least a week, I got a call every day, which meant the embassy was obviously checking on him,” Blunt said. Blunt is well aware that his influence was a factor in Elliott’s high level of care. “Somebody from a foreign government checking on a person with some real focus on wanting to know exactly what was going on with that person? That has to make a difference,” Blunt said. “I know Gordon believes it made a difference.” Elliott was with Blunt at the outset of the former senator’s political career, before Washington, D.C., beckoned – back when Blunt was the Greene County Clerk of Courts. Elliott, a certified public accountant who founded accounting firm Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP, served as treasurer for a number of political campaigns of Sen. Blunt and Blunt’s son, Matt, the 54th governor of Missouri. “He’s been a close friend who has been very helpful to me in so many ways,” Blunt said. He added Elliott has also been helpful to Springfield and to the state of Missouri, with service on the Springfield City Council, the City Utilities Citizens’ Advisory Council and the Missouri State University Board of Governors. “He continues to have opportunities to serve and grow his company,” Blunt said. “He thrives on activity, and he also thrives on helping other people. I would say that every opportunity of public service that Gordon has ever had, he has made the most of it.” Changed man Making the most of life has been Elliott’s mission since he almost lost it. These days he does that by going to work every day at Elliott Lodging Ltd., where he stays active in new hotel projects, like last year’s renovation of Arbor Suites Medical Mile. Immediately after his recovery, Elliott said he built three hotels in three years – which he admitted sounds like a rather fast clip. “The first one’s tough, but the second and third one aren’t very bad at all,” he said. Elliott also brought The Vib to Springfield for a new, ultra-contemporary concept from Best Western. “We’d been looking ahead,” he said. “Who do you think is going to be out there in the marketplace in 10 years? You don’t want to have something that’s dated. I’m looking at modern time – I’m looking at what the new generation works and lives with. “I don’t have to like it, but I have to understand it.” He also makes sure to exercise by walking at least three miles every day. “I’m just mentally determined to be OK,” he said. Bob Helm, hired by Elliott as an accountant 42 years ago and still a partner with Elliott, Robinson & Co., is not surprised by Elliott’s desire to stay current in his thinking. He said he remembers Elliott’s transformation following his hospitalization in China and later in Missouri. “I can specifically remember the day he walked back into the office after he got out of the hospital here,” Helm said. “He said, ‘My life is going to be totally different now. I’ve had a second chance, and I’m going to Book: Elliott credits former Sen. Roy Blunt’s influence for his level of care Continued from page 3 Make 2024 your best year yet! Our Business Strategists will create a tailored solution to grow your business. Email advertising@sbj.net to request a consultation. Julie Divine Business Strategist Linda Merkling Business Strategist Valerie Pister Director of Sales Build brand equity and position your company for success by advertising to SBJ’s exclusive audience of 45,000 readers. Roy Blunt: Gordon Elliott thrives on opportunities to serve the public. Bob Helm: After his heart attack, Elliott was determined to live better.
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