Elmer L. McConkey, an attorney who practiced law for more than 40 years, died Saturday of cardiac arrest at Maryland General Hospital. The Arbutus resident was 73.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Mr. McConkey graduated from Catonsville High School in 1946 and enlisted in the Navy, where he was a quartermaster third class on two battleships until 1948. That year, he married the former Thelma E. Irish.

He attended the University of Maryland, and after three years, went directly to the University of Baltimore Law School, where he graduated in 1955.

He practiced law for about seven years before he started a firm, Wonneman, Styles and McConkey, first in Baltimore, now in Arbutus. He continued to work until his death. He called himself a country lawyer, said his daughter, Carol Hanson of Ellicott City.

For at least 20 years, Mr. McConkey was an avid collector of antique cars. At any given time, there were four or five vehicles at home, which he had helped restore to pristine condition. His favorites, said his wife, were a 1966 Ford Thunderbird and a 1929 Model A Ford.

He also enjoyed gardening and reading.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ambrose Funeral Home, 1328 Sulphur Spring Road in Arbutus.

Besides his wife and daughter, Mr. McConkey is survived by two other daughters, Kathryn Gumthrey of Virginia Beach, Va., and Karen Wilson of Hampstead; two sons, Lawrence McConkey and Michael McConkey, both of Baltimore; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.