Kenneth Hamilton Elson

Kenneth Hamilton Elson, 90, died November 3, 2012 at his home in Grand Island, Nebraska. At his request there will be no visitation or services. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family. Kenneth Hamilton Elson was born in Frontier County, Nebraska on April 26th 1922. He was the son of C.R. and Clara Hamilton Elson who made their home in Curtis and then North Platte, Nebraska. He was the oldest of four children. He graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture (high school) in Curtis, Nebraska. He was Class A All State in basketball in 1939. He achieved Highly Superior ratings playing the french horn in regional interstate competition, Class A honorable mention in football, and valedictorian. He went to college at the University of Nebraska, where he lettered in basketball for the Huskers. In 1947, he graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1949 he received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Nebraska College of Law, cum laude. He was Order of the Coif. His military service included Generals Aide in the 86th Infantry Division while in combat in Europe, 1944-45. He then served as a Captain in the Philippine mop-up operations of the Pacific Theater, in 1946. He met Jo Duering in the Philippines during World War II, where Jo was serving the Red Cross. After the war they were married in Lincoln, Nebraska. Upon moving to Grand Island, the Elsons were recruited by Dr. James Chubb to join Trinity United Methodist Church. They supported their Church with their gifts and served on many committees, boards and offices in the Church. They also sang in the Chancel Choir for over 50 years. Mr. Elsons legal profession included practicing with the Luebs firm from 1949 to 1965. He then went into private practice from 1965 until his retirement in 2004. During his career he tried hundreds of jury cases, argued 56 cases in the Nebraska Supreme Court and others in the United States Court of Appeals. He was at the forefront of technology in his law practice. He was an active member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was also a President of the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys. His hobbies included the enjoyment of classical music, golf, computer technology, and traveling. He and his wife traveled the world together. In their later years they enjoyed visiting destinations in the United States and Canada. Ken enjoyed many golf trips with his sons to Pebble Beach, Myrtle Beach, and to golfs birthplace, Scotland. At 90, he created masterful multimedia projects of his familys lives using his iMac computer and stayed in touch with his loved ones using his iPad. He is survived by Josephine D. Elson, wife; Dr. Kenneth H. Elson, Jr., son; Dr Joel D. Elson, son; Debbie Elson and Brenda Elson, daughters-in-law; and grandchildren Amy Jean Elson Tanksley , Michelle Jo Elson, Joel Scott Elson, and John Christian Elson. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Sibal. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Rod and Jon Elson. Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church, Stuhr Museum and The American Red Cross.