James "Jimbo" Royal Elder

James Royal Elder, born March 6, 1934, passed away in Springerville, Arizona on October 4, 2015. He was currently residing in Apache Junction with his wife Diane with whom he was married for 10 years.

Throughout Jim's lifetime, he had a variety of careers. He received his pilot’s license at the age of 16. He flew small and large airplanes as well as helicopters. He was an acrobatic pilot and competed in many air shows. He trained German Commercial Pilots out of Glendale airport. He was contracted by the forest service to fight wild fires in California and Washington while flying jet helicopters. He was also on a TV commercial for a local aviation company as their pilot. He was a debt collector banker. He owned a silversmithing business in downtown Mesa and made beautiful jewelry. He was a real estate agent for several years. He worked for SRP for 11 years as a fuel handler, instrument technician and Zanjero.

Jim loved the outdoors. He loved to fish and hunt. As a young man he spent a lot of time climbing the Superstition Mountains. He loved prospecting, hiking, and camping. He considered himself a master gardener. He had a beautiful, very well-manicured garden. He loved having small farm animals and raising a variety of birds. His favorites were the Chinese quail. Silversmithing and wood working were his favorite hobbies. He had dreams of making lots of extra spending money.

Jim was married to his first wife Carol Linford for 51 years in the Salt Lake Temple. As a couple they served a Mission in Florida and Tennessee processing family history data. Jim loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren....he will be missed dearly...

He is preceded in death by his first wife Carol Elder; his parents Royal and Rose Elder; his grandson Trevor Burden and his step-daughter Amanda Poole. He is survived by his wife of 10 years Diane Elder; his daughter Dianne (Dwayne) Burden; his son Steven J. (Debbie) Elder; his step-daughters Tina Silverhorn and Kelly Rodriguez; his sisters Nola Sirrine Hamblin and Jonnie Nabors as well as 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.