ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: ELDER, JOSEPH D., JR

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: The St. Tammany News, St. Tammany, La.

Published on Friday, October 14, 2011 

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ELDER

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Joseph D. Elder, Jr., age 65, passed away at The Methodist Hospital System of 
Houston Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. 

Joe Elder founded, owned and operated Elder Wood Preserving Co., Inc in 
Mansura, La., since 1976. 
Joe Elder was a member of many civic and community organizations. He believed 
that it was his duty to give back to God and his community. 
Joe was also very active in his industry. He was both a member and/or board 
member of the Southern Forest Products Association, the Southeastern Lumber 
Manufacturers Association, The Treated Wood Council, and many other 
organizations. He was named the 2008 Avoyellean of the Year by the Avoyelles 
Journal. 
His enduring commitment to education was expressed through multiple annual 
generous donations to the Avoyelles Parish School Board for funding grants to 
Avoyelles Parish teachers and to Avoyelles High School for special projects. 
Every year, Mr. Elder also gave generous donations to several local churches, 
the Boy Scouts, the Louisiana Baptist ChildrenÕs Home and to the Louisiana 4-H 
Museum in Mansura. He also made donations to the Louisiana Department of 
Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to build duck blinds and deer stands for the 
LDWFÕs Youth and Physically Challenged Hunting Programs. LDWF constructed 19 
wheelchair-accessible deer stands on five wildlife management areas throughout 
the state and a handful of wheelchair accessible duck blinds on four wildlife 
management areas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Elder, Sr. and Frankie Wyble Elder. 

He is survived by his children, Stephen Douglas Elder, Laurie Joleen Elder 
Raborn and her husband Barry Raborn, Chad York Elder, and Joe Elder, II; 
grandchildren, Mackinley Elder, Landon Elder, Lucia Raborn, Eva Raborn, 
Isabella Elder, and Ayden Elder; brothers and sisters, Jo Anna Elder Boland, 
James Donald Elder and wife Clara Jean Elder, Edna Helen Elder Brown, and his 
twin brother Francis Dwight Elder and wife Mary Veillon Elder; he is also 
survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the St. Alphonsus 
Catholic Church of Hessmer. 
Visitations will be held from 1 Š 8 p.m. today at the Escudˇ Funeral Home of 
Mansura with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Visitations will then resume at 8 a.m. 
Saturday. 
Burial services will be held by the family in private.

In lieu of flowers, it was Mr. ElderÕs request that donations be made to the 
Joseph D. Elder, Jr. Scholarship Fund / Avoyelles High School / 287 Main St. 
Moreauville, LA 71355.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Escudˇ Funeral Home.

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