Eric Yale Elder
January 3, 1950 ~ March 6, 2021
Eric Yale Elder (aka Big E and Grandpop) age 71, passed away the morning of March 6, 2021 in Wichita, Kansas. Big E was born on January 3, 1950 as the first child of Thomas Calvin “Cal” Elder and Donna Flo Gifford Elder, and ultimately grew into the ringleader of the Elder clan of Eric, Mark, Becky and Tom. His youth was spent roaming the streets of Wichita and the creeks and hills of the family ranch in the Flint Hills. He used to listen to the radio and to records and learned how to play guitar by ear at a young age. Eric attended Kansas University in Lawrence, serving as the lead songwriter and vocalist for the band Tree Frog, and then the band Timberline in Nashville.
Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Cal and Donna Elder. Eric is survived by his wife Kathy Randall Elder; by his children and their spouses, Bekah Rose Elder and Josh Warren, and Chris and Annie Elder; by his two granddaughters, Aila and Clementine Elder (children of Chris and Annie); siblings and their spouses, Tom Elder and Nancy Casado, Becky Elder and Michael Galvin, and Mark Elder.
Knowing Eric was life changing and we remember him in so many different ways: singing his songs, climbing mountains, looking for constellations, reading his book (Sometimes You Eat the Bear), and just listening to the wind blow. A remote celebration service will be held on March 28, 2021. Two donation funds are being set up in his honor: one to protect a small piece of wilderness and the other to provide scholarships to disadvantaged youth interested in learning guitar through the Americana Music Academy in Lawrence, Kansas. Please visit Eric’s memorial webpage at mykeeper.com/profile/EricElder/ for details about the service and memorial donations.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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I knew Eric from Wichita East High School. Enjoyed the music of Tree Frog whenever I had a chance. I had not seen Eric in many years but so glad I got to see him at our 50 year class reunion a couple years ago. R.I.P. Eric, you will be missed by many. Debbie Griffin-Lyons