Edward James “Ed” Elder passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 24, 2025.

Ed was born on June 1, 1959, in Lakeview, Oregon. He was the oldest of three children born to Jim and Betty Jo Elder. Ed’s younger twin brothers, John and Joe, were central figures in many of his stories about growing up in Lakeview. Hunting, fishing, and exploring the wilderness surrounding Lakeview were a large part of Ed’s childhood.

Ed attended school in Lakeview, where sports played a major role in his early life. He played baseball through Babe Ruth and later participated in football, basketball, and track during high school. As a senior, Ed was introduced to athletic training by Bobbie Steininger, who helped him recover from a football injury—an experience that helped shape his future career. Ed graduated from Lakeview High School in 1977.

Ed was fortunate to receive the Daly Fund Scholarship, which allowed him to attend the University of Oregon on a full scholarship. At Oregon, he began his journey toward becoming a certified athletic trainer, joining the training room staff immediately as a student athletic trainer. He was also a member of the SAE fraternity and met Martha McCullough, whom he married in September 1982. During college, Ed worked one summer at the Fremont Sawmill in Lakeview and spent other summers working for the State of Oregon as a wildland firefighter. These summer jobs provided spending money—and the foundation for many great stories.

After graduating from Oregon, Ed and Martha lived briefly in Lakeview before returning to Eugene so Ed could take a position as the certified athletic trainer for the Eugene Emeralds (a Cincinnati Reds farm team). After one season, Ed joined the University of Oregon staff as a certified athletic trainer. During his time on staff, Ed enjoyed working with numerous athletic teams, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, and track and field. He discovered a love for travel and travel planning and formed lasting relationships with colleagues and athletes alike. Stories from his time on staff at Oregon later captivated all who heard them.

In August 1990, Ed and Martha welcomed their daughter, Jessica. Ed loved being a dad and bringing Jessica and her mother along on team trips whenever possible. Summers spent in Hawaii with Martha’s family cemented his love for the islands and its people.

In 1995, Ed took his first trip with USA Track and Field as a volunteer certified athletic trainer. That same year, Ed and Martha left Eugene when Ed accepted a position working for his friend Lynn Johnson at MOST Physical Therapy in Nampa, Idaho. Ed, Lynn, and Lonnie Sellers brought laughter alongside exceptional manual therapy to southern Idaho. As part of his role, Ed also served as the certified athletic trainer for Nampa High School. Working with high school athletes was one of Ed’s great joys, and mentoring young people came naturally to him.

In 1997, Ed and Martha divorced. Ed remained in Nampa while Martha returned to Eugene with Jessica. Ed later met Nancy Helsley, a fellow high school athletic trainer, and they married in the summer of 1998. That summer was a busy one: Ed served as an athletic trainer for the USA Track and Field Team at the Goodwill Games in New York, and afterward, he and Nancy moved to the Seattle area so Ed could begin working with HealthSouth Outpatient Physical Therapy.

Ed and Nancy settled in Shoreline, where Ed continued his work in outpatient physical therapy and began his 23-year career as the certified athletic trainer at Shorecrest High School. He continued to grow his skills by taking courses from Dr. Loren “Bear” Rex through the Ursa Foundation.

In July 2001, Ed and Nancy welcomed their son, Brian. The family settled into life in Shoreline and embraced traveling together. Ed loved showing Jessica and Brian how to travel. In the spring of 2002, Ed and Wayne Rasmussen opened Integrated Manual Therapy. Lonnie Sellers joined the practice in 2004. Ed continued volunteering with USA Track and Field on the medical staff, serving on numerous national teams at both national and international events, including World Championships. He formed many close friendships and lasting relationships with those he worked alongside and cared for.

Ed was selected as part of the medical staff for USA Track and Field for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the 2020 (held in 2021) Tokyo Olympic Games. These experiences were among the highlights of a remarkable career dedicated to caring for others.

Ed’s cancer diagnosis in May 2023 slowed him down, but it did not stop him from doing the things he loved—traveling, visiting family, and caring for others. He drew strength from helping those around him.

Ed is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Jessica Thomas (Kyle); his son, Brian; his brother, John Elder; his nephews, James Elder and Kevin Elder; one grandchild, Riley; and numerous cousins and members of his chosen family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Ed consider making a charitable donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Ed was a Coach Valvano fan, and this cause was close to his heart.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date.