Obituary of James David Elder

James David Elder, Attorney, age 82 went home to be with the Lord on Sunday August 21, 2022. Beloved husband of Sue (Radakovich) Elder, son of the late Forest and Isabella Hall Elder, brother of Anne (Neil) Paylor, of Pgh. PA. Loving father of Jimmy (Candi) Elder, Summer and Christian, of Virginia Beach VA; Kimberlee (Aaron) Smith, Cole, Everett, Adrian, of Portland, ME; David (Lana) Elder, Abel and Isla, of Farmington, CT., Special step-dad to Erin (Norman Deceased), of West Newton, PA. Bradley, Ashley (Brandon) of West Newton, PA, Kami and Kasi Feehan, of Washington, PA; Kirstin Carpenter, Dominque, John and Cheyenne, of Duquesne, PA, Brooke Snyder, Hunter, Owen and Liam, of Chalfont, PA. Also 5 great-grandchildren. He also had many nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Jim went to the Miami University in Oxford OH where he sang in the Miami Men's Glee Club. He also sang in a quartet in Pgh. After college he enlisted and then served as a Commanding Officer in the US Navy as an engineer on the USS Rupertus during the Viet Nam war. After an honorable discharge Jim came to Pittsburgh and enrolled at Duquesne Law school. After he graduated and got his Law Degree he stayed in Pittsburgh where he then went on to be a highly respected attorney in Pittsburgh for over 50 years and continued to practice until his death. He loved to try cases and was probably happiest when he was in the courtroom trying a case. He was a member and past President of the Academy of Trial Lawyers, a member of the Allegheny Trial Lawyers, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Jim loved to spend time at his cabin in Indian Lake which he and his dad helped to build until 2 years ago. He loved to cook and was famous for his soups. Jim enjoyed golfing at Longue Vue Country Club where he had been a member for many years until he could no longer golf. Going to Nags Head for 2 weeks was always a great time that we always looked forward to every August. We had countless good times with our kids, their friends and our friends because he loved to entertain. Jim also loved to garden (but always put his tomatoes in the garden too late), and was always looking for new streams to fly fish in the mountains, reading, listening to music and just having fun. He loved his grandchildren and only wished that he could have spent more time with them. He and his wife loved to travel, especially to San Antonio where he had represented USAA as an attorney for many years. He had made many friends over the years and always enjoyed going to SA during FIESTA in April. Unfortunately, this past Sunday his body was tired and his time here on earth was done. Jim was a great guy and a good friend to many over his lifetime and although we always said he had more than 9 lives it was time to go. We will all miss Jim but he lived life to the fullest!

Friends received Thursday August 25, and Friday August 26, from 2pm to 4pm and from 6pm to 8pm at the THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME INC. 7441 Washington Street, Swissvale. A service held at the funeral home Saturday August 27, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to River City Brass, the VA PLEA, or to the Children's Institute.  www.niedfuneralhome.com