Dr. Irving B. Elkins

Dr. Irving B. Elkins

02/17/2022

Dr. Irving B. Elkins, 80, died February 17th, 2022, surrounded by his family at his home in Debary, Florida, after a short illness.

Dr. Elkins was born on January 22, 1942, in the Panama Canal to Irving Barefoot, Sr. of Bartow, Florida, and Lily Pescod of Barranco, Peru. Dr. Elkins graduated from Hallsboro High School in North Carolina and obtained a degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Dr. Elkins also obtained his medical degree from Bowman Gray Medical School at Wake Forest University and became a board-certified urologist. Dr. Elkins practiced urology in Southwest Virginia for 26 years until his retirement in June 2011. Dr. Elkins also served as Chief of Medical Staff at the Montgomery County Regional Hospital in Blacksburg, VA, during his tenure there. Dr. Elkins was also a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves for 22 years and served in active duty for nine months in Saudi Arabia in Operation Desert Storm. In Saudi Arabia, Dr. Elkins and members of the 312th Evacuation Hospital of Greensboro, NC, erected a 400-bed surgical hospital fully capable of providing emergency medical support to any and all soldiers who entered its doors. In his 80 years, "Irv" had many hobbies, including stamp-collecting, wine-making, banjo-playing, bird-watching, and gardening. He loved sunsets, Carolina basketball, bluegrass music, good food, and a good drink. Most importantly, he loved his family and friends--he never met a stranger--and he loved his country. Irv was very proud of his military service. Irv had a generous heart; a sharp, curious mind; an adventurous spirit, and a twinkle in his eye. He will be greatly missed, but will always live in our hearts and in all the good memories.

Dr. Elkins is survived by his wife Beth; his four children, Susan Groenke (Denny) of Knoxville, TN; Robert Elkins (Angie) of Orlando, FL; Allie Tatum (Marcus) of Birmingham, AL; Amy Butt of Debary, FL; his sister Eloise McLean of Statesville, NC, and his grandchildren Jack, Audrey, and Foster Elkins and Graham Tatum. Other survivors include his mother-in-law Margaret Willey and brother-in-law Jay Willey of Orange City, FL, and his nephew Chris Ford of Petersburg, AK, and niece Angela Benson of Statesville, NC.

A military funeral service with full honors will be held on Tuesday, June 14th 2022 at 11:30am at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL. June 14th is Flag Day, which commemorates the pride and honor due our nation’s flag. A reception will be held following the service at the VFW in Debary, from 2:30-5pm. Come celebrate Irv with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the VFW Post 8093 in Debary, FL, in Irv's honor. The VFW address is 351 Charles Richard Beall Boulevard, Debary, FL 32713.