James Leonard Elder Ii

James Leonard Elder (Jimmy) of Livonia, MI passed away on September 18, 2021. He was born in Perryville, MO on July 30, 1934, to James Sr and Della Elder. Jimmy was the seventh of nine children.

Jim attended St. Vincent’s Catholic School in Perryville, MO. He loved football and was the first-string quarterback in high school. Jim held many jobs throughout his lifetime, but in 1955, Jim moved to Michigan for a job at Marygrove College in Detroit, where he met the love of his life Sharon. Jim found his new home and was married to Sharon on June 14, 1958.

Jim worked at Marygrove College for 43 years, during which time he earned his Journeyman Electrician license and ultimately became the Director of the Physical Plant. Jim and Sharon lived on the Marygrove campus for twelve years and raised their two sons, Jimmy and Chris, until 1971 when they moved to Livonia. Jim and Sharon were married for 28 years.

Jim was a kind man who touched so many people throughout his lifetime. Faith and family were the most important things to him. Jim had the greatest sense of humor, the best stories to tell, he always had a joke in his back pocket and hug for everyone who visited. He enjoyed playing guitar, playing music and golfing with his sons, fishing in Perryville with his family and watching Football, Golf, NASCAR and Westerns movies. Jim had a green thumb and nurtured the best vegetable garden every summer. He also loved to tinker and repair almost everything.

Jim is survived by his sons, Jim III (Peggy) Elder and Chris (Sue) Elder. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren; Michael, Katie Rose (Joe), Rob (Monica), Chelsea, Marcy, Ben, Madeline, Natalie, Christopher, Annemarie and his great grandchildren; Sabrina, Seth, Allison, Annabelle, Elizabeth, Joey, Jake, Nate, Lila, Rowan and Charlotte along with his many nieces and nephews.

Jim is preceded in death by wife Sharon; his sisters, Cecilia, Anna, Rosie, Rita, and Josie; and his brothers Francis, Paul and Roger.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday Sept 22, 2021 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM at Manns Family Funeral Home, 17000 Middlebelt, Livonia 48154. A Rosary Service will be held at 4:30 PM and a Time of Sharing will be held at 6:30 PM.

Jim will be In-State at 11:00 AM, prior to the Funeral Mass on Thursday, Sep 23rd at 11:30 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 11441 Hubbard, Livonia 48150.

Memorial donations in memory of James Elder can be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html