Ryegate, VT-  David Nelson Elder, 55, of South Bailey Hazen Road, died following an accident in Wells River, VT.

David was born in Haverhill, NH, June 16, 1962, the son of Hugh Francis and Louise Mae (Nelson) Elder.

In high school, he worked with a blacksmith designing and creating art statues out of iron.  David also apprenticed as a potter with Mountain Meadow Pottery in South Ryegate, where he designed many of their plaques.  David volunteered at the BMU School as an art teacher.  He illustrated two books for two local authors and published two books of his own, Mish~Mosh of Mazes I and II.

David worked at P&H Truck Stop in Wells River for 17 years in maintenance.  While working at the P&H Truck Stop he was commissioned to paint the murals and designed the menu covers that can be admired today.  He also painted a mural in the Wells River Library and created a different theme in each one of the rooms at the Wells River Motel.

David started with Tae Kwon Do in 1992 and achieved Master status with the Blue Wave Tae Kwon Do, in Burlington, VT on March 13, 2015.

David was in the process of completing his dream….. a tree house / art studio.

He was predeceased by his mother, Louise Mae (Nelson) Elder on February 16, 1969; his father, Hugh Francis Elder on April 16, 2005; and his two brothers, Daniel R. Elder and Bruce H. Elder; and a brother-in-law, Michael Ringey.

Survivors include his wife of 12 years, to whom he was married on August 20, 2005, Christine McRae Elder of Ryegate; two sons, Bryan Elder of Essex, NY and Justin Elder of Randolph, VT; two daughters, Morgan Wood of Essex, VT and Ashley Wood and Ethan Hayes of St. Johnsbury, VT; a brother, William P. Elder and wife Khristine of Ryegate; two sisters, Susan D. Elder and husband Arthur Edersheim of Chelsea, VT and Patricia E. Ringey of Cornwall, VT; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, two aunts, and cousins; and his three cats, Twa, Rocky, and Jazzy.

A celebration of David's life will be on Thursday, September 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM with a tribute to David's Life beginning at 2:00, at the Groton Community Building, 1476 Scott Highway, Groton, VT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Wave Tae Kwon Do Association, C/O Bruce V. Twing Scholarship, 338 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.