Obituaries

F. Clark Elkins

Photo of F. Clark Elkins
Dr. F. Clark Elkins, 94, of Jonesboro, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2017, at his home. Born in Scranton, Ark. University of Central Arkansas in 1943. He entered active duty in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and participated in 34 combat missions on a B-29 over Japan. Dr. Elkins received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Asiatic-Pacific Battle Ribbon with two Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon and the WWII Victory Medal. Following military service, Dr. Elkins earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, did graduate work at the University of North Carolina and earned a Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He also had post doctoral study at Henderson State University and the University of Minnesota. Dr. Elkins had over 42 years experience in Higher Education. He served 15 years at Henderson State University, five and a half years as President of Chadron State College in Nebraska, two and a half years as President of Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, 11 years as Vice President at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and eight years as Vice President of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Dr. Elkins was an Examiner and Consultant for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. He also served on the National Commission of Accredition and the Committee on Institutions for Teacher Education. Dr. Elkins served on a education team to Poland, evaluated Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Germany where he visited 66 colleges and universities for NCA and NCATE Awards. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award at Chadron State College and the John Vaughn Excellence in Education from the Committee on Schools of NCA. Dr. Elkins was a life member of the National Education Association, Arkansas Education Association and the Craighead County Historical Association. He held memberships in Phi Alpha Theta (National Honorary History Fraternity), Alpha Chi (National Honorary Scholastic Fraternity), Phi Delta Kappa (National Professional Fraternity in Education), Phi Kappa Pi (National Honorary Scholastic Fraternity), Kappa Delta Pi (National Honorary Education Fraternity), Sigma Tau Gamma (National Social Fraternity), BPOE, and the Jonesboro Rotary Club where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. Dr. Elkins was preceded in death on Feb. 12, 2012 by his wife of 65 years, Norma Elkins, parents: Frank and Auby Moore Elkins, sister-in-law: Frances Tice Barrett and brother-in-law Steve Barrett. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law: Annette and Paul Bednar of Jonesboro; one grandson, Chris Bednar and one granddaughter, Jennifer Shrable (Justin), all of Jonesboro and one great grandchild, Charlee Shrable and another great-grandchild, Hutson Shrable expected any day. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Patty Soward officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time in the chapel. Active Pallbearers include Chris Bednar, Justin Shrable, Paul Bednar, Dr. John Hall, Dennis Abell and Dr. Russ Hannah. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Ray Hall, Dr. Eugene Smith and Dr. Charles Rasberry. For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the F. Clark and Norma T. Elkins Scholarship, Chadron State College Foundation, 1000 Main St., Chadron, NE 69337, NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 1960, Jonesboro, AR 72403, or First United Methodist Church, 801 S. Main St., Jonesboro, AR 72401. Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.

Published November 27, 2017

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