Chris Elkins

Obituary

Chris Elkins, age 42, passed away at his home in Tullahoma, Tennessee on Saturday October 11th 2014.

He was born on May 1st 1972 in Bradley County, son of Michael and Jenny Lyn Elkins.

He attended elementary and high school in Bradley County and was a graduate of Tennessee Tech University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. While at Tennessee Tech he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. At the time of his death he was completing a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Management through the University of Tennessee at Martin.

He was proud to have served his country as a United States Marine. He also served in the Peace Corporation working on a water purification project in El Salvador.

Chris was currently employed by the US Department of Defense working as the Natural Resource Manager at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma.

Chris loved hunting, fishing, hiking and being outdoors. He was also an avid NACAR and UT football fan. He enjoyed reading and was a skilled player of the game of chess.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Edd Jr. and Lura Elkins and Jennie Mae Swafford, all of Cleveland.

Besides his parents, he is also survived by his loving wife, Melinda (Mindy) Elkins, a daughter Zorra Winter Elkins, a son Kellen Barrett Elkins all of Tullahoma, his sister Julie Jolly and her husband Brad of Gallatin, Tennessee. Nieces and nephew Clare Jolly, Callen Jolly and Clay Jolly all of Gallatin. Grandfather Odell Swafford of Cleveland, Tennessee, father-in-law Don Hendrix of Tullahoma, mother-in-law Jeanine Hendrix of Jacksonville, Florida and brother-in-law Jeff Hendrix of Jacksonville, Florida. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

At his request there was no public service. A private family memorial service will be held in Tullahoma at a later date.

An educational fund has been establish for Chris’s children. A memorial contribution may be made to:

Zorra and Kellen Elkins Educational Fund

P.O. Box 2453 Cleveland, TN 37320-2453

You are invited to share a personal memory of Chris or your condolences with his family at his online memorial, located at www.companionfunerals.com

Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody Family are honored to assist the Elkins Family with these arrangements.

Family has elected for no service to be held.