Elliott was born in 1921 in Corvallis, Oregon, he attended Corvallis High School where he was a star athlete in both track and football. He set an Oregon high school record in the shot put.[1]
In August 1943, Elliott entered in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He was sent overseas in mid-June 1944 and was wounded later that year while serving in the European Theater. He was hospitalized in Belgium after his injury.[3]
After retiring as a player, Elliott was hired in 1949 as the football coach at Oregon City High School.[5] David died in 1980 at age 58 in Oregon City, Oregon.[2]