Joseph Elder, Jr.

Funeral services for Joseph D. Elder, Jr. of Marksville will take place at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Hessmer on Saturday, October 15, 2011, beginning at 10:00am. Visitations will be held at the Escud Funeral Home of Mansura on Friday, October 14, 2011, from 1:00pm to 8:00pm, with a rosary at 6:30pm. Visitations will then resume Saturday morning at 8:00am. Burial services will be held by the family in private.
Joseph D. Elder, Jr., age 65, passed away at The Methodist Hospital System of Houston on Monday, October 10, 2011. Joe Elder founded, owned and operated Elder Wood Preserving Co., Inc in Mansura, Louisiana 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 andor 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 Childrens Home and to the Louisiana 4H 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 LDWFs Youth and Physically Challenged Hunting Programs. LDWF constructed 19 wheelchairaccessible 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.
In lieu of flowers, it was Mr. Elders 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 Escud Funeral Home.