Our sweetheart, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, June 19, 2022 in Layton, Utah from complications of pancreatitis. He was 78 years old.

Jim was born to Wayne Lambert Eldredge and Myrtle Alice Monahan on August 22, 1943 in El Monte, California. As a young boy, Jim spent time on his family farm in Granger, Utah thinning sugar beets, growing tomatoes, and caring for his goats, and of course his beloved wild mustang, Spirit.

Previous to graduating from Granger High School in 1961, Jim met the love of his life, Nelda Lurene Saunders.  She was working as a car hop at the drive-in, Zesto.  Jim served a mission in Northern Germany, in 1963. He carried a love for the German people, its’ food, and culture for the rest of his life.

Jim and Nelda were married in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1966.  He earned his Bachelor degree from the U of U, followed by a Masters degree from BYU.  He worked at UPEA and then as a lobbyist and the director of government relations at UEA for many years.  He was an advocate for the common man, loved his work and called himself a union “goon”.

Together, Jim and Nelda served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the Ogden Temple, followed by a mission at Fairfield Village of Layton.  Jim had a strong faith in God’s plan and exemplified it by how he lived.

Jim was very proud of his Mayflower and pioneer heritage. But, most of all he cherished all the family and friends around him. He loved traveling with his wife and family; enjoyed camping, German cars, dining out, playing card games, taking photos/videos and watching movies; Hollywood’s and his own. His easy humor, great generosity and gentle nature made him very loved by his many grandchildren, nieces and nephews, in-laws and out-laws. As a friend recently said, “He was easy to love.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Nelda; children, Paige Lindsay (Ken), Jayme Bahouth (Mark), Nicole Killpack (Sheldon), Nathan Eldredge (Vivian); his brother Lloyd Eldredge (Cherie),  his sister Ruth Noorda; 17 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.  He was welcomed home by his parents; his brother, Gary Wayne Eldredge, and his granddaughter, Marissa Eve Bahouth.

Services honoring Jim will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Oakhills Chapel, 1401 E. Gentile Street Layton, UT.   The viewing will be at the same location from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  A facebook live link will be added to this site 5 minutes prior to  services.

Interment will be immediately after services at Lindquist Mortuary at 1867 North Fairfield, Road, Layton.

Condolences may be expressed at www.russonmortuary.com.