Hartzell B. Elkins

26 Aug 2003

Submitted by: Alex Carter

© The Bakersfield Californian

Graveside services will be held in the veteran's section of Union Cemetery, 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 28, 2003, for Hartzell B. Elkins, 73, who passed away in Bakersfield, August 25, 2003. The Associated Veterans of Kern County will present military honors.

Hartz was born in Hammon, Oklahoma, on January 27, 1930.

He attended McCurdy School in Espanola, New Mexico thru the 6th grade. The family moved to Bakersfield in 1942. He attended Emerson Jr. High, KCUHS, and BC. At KCUHS, he played football and basketball.

After serving 3 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, he played football for the Renegades and scored a touchdown in the 1st Potato Bowl game. Hartz was a good athlete and lifetime sports fan.

He loved to bowl and gold with his many friends. In the last few years, he turned to fantasy football, cribbage, and watching Tiger Woods.

Hartzell cared little about title, money or social standing but he cared about people, especially children. He masked this soft side with a gruff hard-guy and Archie Bunker persona. "Bunker" worked many years laying flooring for McNauls and for 31 years tended bar for his great friend, Richard Kresha at the Tejon Club.

He was preceded in death by parents, Ann and Al Elkins; brother, Lee; and nephew, James Wolfe.

Survivors include Dottie, his wife of 40 years; sisters, Barbara Wolfe and Elise Schmidt; brother and sister-in-law, Orville and Melinda Elkins; sister-in-law, Marsha Elkins; brother and sister-in-law, Wally and Dot Wallace; nieces, Delisa Noebel, Lynn San Miguel, Laura Butterbret and Amy Ishill; nephew, Andy Elkins and two great nephews, three great nieces and one great great niece.

He fought cancer for 5 years without complaint or self pity. The family wants to give special thanks to Dr. Patel and the staff at CBCC and for the care and kindness provided by Odyssey Hospice.

Pallbearers are Richard Kresha, Jerry Knoff, Steve York, Kevin Cole, Clem Ward and Mike Molatore. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Esposito, Charlie Sikes, Charlie Gibson, Bernie Williams, David Mashburn and Doyle Strasner.

Visitation begins Wednesday, noon - 8:00 p.m.

Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors.

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