Von Bruce Elkins was born August 3, 1950, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, to Leo and Georgia (Carruth) Elkins and passed this life on June 27, 2024, after a battle with cancer at the age of 73. He died at home surrounded by loved ones.
Von grew up on his family’s farm in Erin Springs, Oklahoma, and lived most of his life in Lindsay, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school in 1968. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma (Central State College) and earned a degree in Political Science. From there, Von went to Oklahoma City University where he was granted a Juris Doctorate.
After law school, Von and his high school classmate, Thomas Hart, opened the firm of Elkins & Hart in Lindsay where they practiced for 45 years. During this time he served as the Lindsay City attorney and was an advisor to the Lindsay Municipal Hospital Board. Von placed a priority on living in a small town and serving Garvin County.
While living and working in Lindsay, Von married Janice Latham and they had two children, Zac Elkins of Norman, Oklahoma, and Lauren Elkins of New York City. He was a member of Kiwanis and the Lions Club. Von was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Lindsay, Oklahoma. There he participated in the annual performance of The Living Christmas Tree and played the role of Thomas in The Last Supper.
Von married Alpha (Brumley) Elkins on October 16, 1999, and the couple resided in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Von and Alpha had many adventures in their near quarter-century of marriage and shared them with a host of very good friends. The pair enjoyed traveling, trying new cuisine, and the company of their devoted pets. He attended the First Presbyterian Church of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.
Von treasured his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He and Alpha regularly hosted the family for holidays and special events. Von always looked forward to seeing his children and grandchildren and he played an active role in their lives.
Von loved reading. He had an eclectic library and always had a good book on hand. Von liked history and appreciated intimate details on subjects of Americana and related world events. He enjoyed a wide variety of music; from outlaw country to the rock and roll of his youth. He also enjoyed attending OU football games and keeping up with all OU related sports.
Von loved to tell lengthy elaborate stories and he shared them often with his friends and family. They will remember Von’s big smile and his unique sense of humor and his clever practical jokes. Anytime they hear the music of Jimmy Buffett, one of Von’s favorites, they will remember him as a happy man with a good heart. Von was a devoted and beloved husband, a caring and attentive father, and a cherished grandfather and friend.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Leo and Georgia Elkins; and brother, William Eddy (Bill) Elkins.
He is survived by his wife, Alpha, of the home; son, Zac Elkins (Erin Stutzman) of Norman, Oklahoma; daughter, Lauren Elkins of Brooklyn, NY; granddaughter, Bailey Elkins of Norman, Oklahoma; four stepsons, Lee Ellis (Talauna Ellis) of Mustang, Oklahoma, Billy Ellis (Margaret), Johnathan Edwards (Heather), Hunter Edwards, all of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, five step-grandchildren, Jackson Ellis, Seth Adams, Rayle (Tucker) Sellers, Creed Edwards and Marshall Edwards; two great-granddaughters, Haven and Paisley; niece, Whitney Elkins (Colin); and great-niece, Avery Elkins, all of Boulder, Colorado; cousin, Bob Elkins of Lindsay, Oklahoma; and uncle, Charles Elkins of Lawton, Oklahoma.
Memorial Services are scheduled for Monday, July 8, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, at 2 p.m. under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. If you would like to send your condolences to the family you may do so at www. woosterfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to The First Presbyterian Church at P.O. Box 506 Pauls Valley, Oklahoma 73075 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter at P.O. Box 147 Pauls Valley, Oklahoma 73075.
