David Mayne Elder

Athens

David Mayne Elder, age 91, of Athens died Saturday, April 10. He was a native of Watkinsville, and the son of David M. Elder and Ola Edwards Elder. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, June Anthony Elder, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Watkinsville High School and the University of Georgia. Immediately after graduation he enrolled in the Naval Officers’ Candidate School at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he received his commission in early 1941, and was assigned as commanding officer of the Bombard, a fleet mine sweeper in the Atlantic Ocean.

After several months of duty, the Bombard was ordered to the Aleutian Islands for patrol and convoy duty in the Bering Sea. Upon completion of this duty, he was ordered back to the South Pacific to bring the troops and equipment back to the United States. When the war ended, the Bombard was transferred to the Russian Navy in Cold Bay, Alaska, under the lend-lease program. He was discharged from the Navy with the rank of Captain. He then transferred to the United States Coast Guard Reserve, and was assigned to the Naval War College in Providence, RI. He also served as Senior Instructor in the Commanding Officers’ School at the Coast Guard Naval Center in Yorktown, VA.

Upon his return home, he was employed by the State Department of Veteran Services. Mr. Elder was also very active in civic affairs, serving 9 years on the Watkinsville City Council and two terms in the Georgia State Legislature.

In 1960, Mr. Elder went to Washington, DC as Administrative Assistant to Congressman Robert G. Stephens, Jr., until Congressman Stephens retired in 1976. He continued to serve with Congressman Doug Bernard for 5 years until Mr. Elder retired.

He was active in the Methodist Church and a member of the Girdiron Club and the American Legion. Because of his love for the sea, David and June built a beachfront home in Flagler Beach, FL where they lived and loved for 26 years before moving to Talmadge Terrace in Athens, GA four years ago.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 4PM at Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 to 4:00. Donation may be made to St. Mary’s Hospice, 1660 Jennings Mills Road, Bogart, GA 30622.

On line condolences may be made at bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.