John Elkins

GASTONIA - John Dickson Elkins, 82, of Lake Wylie, S.C., died Jan. 4, 2013, at Covenant Village, Gastonia.

A native of Clarkton, he was the son of the late James Worth and Ruth Ballentine Elkins.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Active in our community, Mr. Elkins served our country as a Sergeant in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and was a long-time member of New Hope Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon, elder, and served twice as building committee chairman. In 2010, he was honored by the church as one of only three Distinguished Elder Emeritus in the church's history. He was a devoted em-ployee and eventual co-owner of BERCO, Bryant Electric Repair Company of Gastonia for over 37 years, and was an active member of the Rotary Club of Gastonia, where he joined December 7, 1967 and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the Electrical Contractors Association of North Carolina, serving as Past President. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Doris Yeargin Elkins; a brother, Worth B. Elkins, and a sister, Janice E. Nelson.

Survivors include his sons and a daughter-in-law, Art and Susan Elkins of Gastonia; Alan Elkins of Lake Wylie, S.C.; daughters, Phyllis Elkins of Cary, and Amy Elkins of Lake Wylie, S.C.; three granddaughters, Alexandra, Caitlin, and Morgan Elkins of Gastonia, a brother, J.B. Elkins of Clarkton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris E. Smith of Cary, Emily E. and Forrest Swinson of Tampa, Fla. and Cornelia E. and Markam Woody of Richmond, Va.; sister-in-law, Rachel P. Elkins of Clarkton and brother-in-law, Guy A. Yeargin of Gastonia; sev-eral nieces and nephews, and his little dachshund, London.

Funeral will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday by the Rev. P. Edward Forsyth and the Rev. William F. "Chip" Summers Jr. at New Hope Presbyterian Church.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Rotary Club of Gastonia.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Hope Presbyterian Church, 4357 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia, N.C. 28056.

Condolence messages may be sent and viewed at www.mcleanfuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia 1-800-217-9901 has been entrusted to serve the Elkins family.