Widow honors legacy of husband at UK, where love story began
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 22, 2024) —When Army Captain Alan Kurre Elliott and Stephanie Moore Elliott said “I do” in November 2017, the University of Kentucky was at the center of their love story.
The Elliotts, who met in graduate school, were both teaching assistants in the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion.
After completing her master’s degree at UK, Stephanie began her career as an exercise physiologist. Alan earned his bachelor’s degree in 2013 and his master’s degree in 2015, both in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. His career was in the military, having served in the Navy from 2005-2009, then in the Army starting in 2015.
“I fell for him quickly. Loving Alan is the easiest thing I have ever done. We got married, and had three beautiful children together,” Stephanie said.
The Elliotts were raising their children in Colorado, where Alan was stationed at Fort Carson, when he was killed last July by a hit-and-run driver while out for a run near their home. He had been training for a triathlon and preparing for an upcoming tryout for a specialized unit with the Army.
“Alan was full of life, with an unmatched energy, and incredible love for not only his family, but also for the Kentucky Wildcats,” Stephanie said. “He made a huge impact on so many, not just at work, but also at home. If you were able to ask Alan what he viewed as his biggest success, he would have said his family. He was an extremely dedicated and loving husband and father."'
Stephanie is working to ensure his legacy lives on at the university where their love story began. She has established the CPT. Alan Kurre Elliott Memorial Student Award to assist students in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion who embody Alan’s outstanding character.
“Alan was our world. My soulmate, and our children’s favorite person and playmate. His death has left all who knew him heartbroken, to put it mildly, but his memory will continue to inspire those who knew him to live life to the fullest and help others in any way we can,” Stephanie said.
Proceeds from the upcoming Run White & Blue 5K Run/Walk in honor of CPT. Alan Kurre Elliott will benefit this student award. The 5K run/walk will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 27 at Coldstream Park, located at 1850 Pisacano Dr. in Lexington. Registration is open for walkers and runners, and volunteers to help with the event are still needed. For more information, contact Nathan Rudder, UK College of Education senior philanthropy officer, at nathan.rudder@uky.edu.