Dan Elder of Loch Lloyd, Missouri passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 27, 1939 in Decatur, Texas. Dan graduated from North Side High School in Fort Worth, TX and Texas Tech University as a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
After graduation, Dan began his 45-year career as a boot salesman with Justin Brands. Traveling all over Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, he made many friends. Always with a story, Dan rarely met a stranger. He was a proud Texan who loved his family, golf, hunting, Jack Daniels and margaritas, and any game he could win.
Dan and his wife Van have been longtime residents of the Kansas City area. Moving here in 1965, they began raising their family and making lifelong friendships. They spent many years enjoying the wonderful communities of Lake Winnebago and Loch Lloyd, as well as belonging to Loch Lloyd Country Club, Hillcrest Country Club and Flint Hills in Wichita, KS.
Sharing a lifelong passion for the outdoors, Dan and Van never missed an opening day of dove season for over 60 years. Another one of their favorite activities was working at the farm in north Missouri, and the many pheasant and deer camps held in the barn. Dan and his son, Brent, spent many days tending to and enjoying the land.
After enjoying several golf tournaments in the Palm Springs area, Dan and Van fell in love with the beautiful area and warm sunshine. They spent many winters in Bermuda Dunes, CA, where golf and friends were abundant. Their kids and grandkids always look forward to joining them for vacation.
Dan will be deeply missed by his wife of 60 years, Van, and two children: Brent and Lindsay Elder, Dana and Card Sappington; grandchildren: Ryan (Jennifer), Andrea (Sean), Lauren and Clayton; and great-grandchildren: Emma and Jackson. Known to many as Dad, Grandpa, Papa, and “Dan, Dan the Margarita Man”, his family and friends will miss him dearly.
No services will be held, due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Please enjoy a drink in remembrance of Dan’s life well-lived and/or make a memorial contribution in his name to any of the following: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors, Shriner’s, Parkinson’s Foundation or one of your choosing.