A memorial for Jack Daniel Elkins Sr., 81, of Emporia, Kan., will be 1 p.m. today at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia. The Rev. Norbert Tegtmeier will officiate. Cremation is planned.
He was born Feb. 10, 1925, on a farm northwest of Aline to Orval Clay and Olive Louessa Daniel Elkins and died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at his home.
He attended Aline Public Schools, graduating in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy in August 1943, serving with the Seabees in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in January 1946.
He married Clara Louis Watson Oct. 5, 1943, in Rockville, Md. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was in the 18th Special Naval Construction Battalion, handling live ammunition and supplies for the Pacific Fleet. He was stationed at Ulithi Atoll, the Philippines and Pelilu Islands. He spent 21 months overseas.
Following his discharge, he worked for Truck Parts and Equipment Co., Wichita, Kan., and later managed Derby Bowl in Derby, Kan., for several years. They moved to Arlington, Texas, in 1973 where they lived until he retired from Pizza Hut as maintenance supervisor in August 1991.
Following retirement, they moved to Lake Tenkiller near Vian, and to Emporia in 1997. He was a member of Methodist Church of Aline, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7957 and American Legion Post 5 in Emporia.
Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Clara; two sons, Jack D. Jr. of Hurst, Texas, and Brad of Emporia; one daughter, Karlene Landowski of Freeport, Ill.; one brother, Kenneth Elkins of Oklahoma City; four grandchildren; and twin great-grandsons.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, KS 66801.