Brudge Elkin

Brudge Elkin

Franklin, TN

"A good name is more desirable than riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1. No one lived these words out more than Brudge Elkin. Brudge Elkin, 88, formerly of Jackson, MS, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather-fondly known as our "Pop Pop" passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 07, 2013 in Franklin, TN. He was 2 weeks away from his 89th birthday. Mr. Elkin was born in Cantonement, Oklahoma, on August 19, 1924 to Franklin Andrew Elkin and Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Thompson Elkin. He graduated with honors from Kosciusko High School and went on to serve his country during WWII in the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinist. After his honorable discharge he returned to Kosciusko and married his childhood sweetheart, Charlotte Fay Jennings, and they enjoyed 67 years together. After graduating from Mississippi State on the GI Bill as a mechanical engineer, Mr. Elkin spent his career in drilling with Humble/Exxon Oil Company. From a field engineer, he rose in the ranks with Exxon to become the Headquarters Worldwide Drilling Operations Manager. He was one of the top engineers in the world in well control. He drilled over 1000 wells from the Mid-Atlantic Ocean to the northern slopes of Alaska with Exxon. He was a pioneer in developing many of the well-control techniques, theories and practices that are still in use. As one of Exxon's premier well-control experts, he was instrumental in well-control education and was among the first to be called on by Exxon to help fight dangerous blow-outs around the world. After retiring from Exxon in 1983, he consulted for Triton Engineering in Houston, TX and later moved to Jackson, MS to be near family. Despite retirement, he continued to serve the industry by leading the "killing" of a threatening sour-gas well in Simpson County, MS. After the well was under control, Mr. Elkin stayed on as a consultant and drilled all the wells in the developing John's Field for 15 years.

During his career in the oil and gas industry, he and his family lived in Fayette, MS, Wichita Falls, TX, Stamford, TX, Houston, TX, New Orleans, LA, Corpus Christi, TX, and Jackson, MS. He and Mrs. Elkin had just recently relocated to Franklin, TN.

Brudge is survived by his wife, Charlotte; his son Ronald Colin Elkin and daughter-in-law Martha Burr Elkin of Franklin, TN; his daughter Gayla Elkin Rawls and son-in-law James H. Rawls of Ridgeland, MS; and a sister, Lena E. Craft of Austin, TX. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Natalie Elkin Lauterbach (Wesley) of Franklin, TN; Dr. Chad David Elkin (Leslie) of Franklin, TN; Candice Rawls Boatright (Dr. David) of Memphis, TN; Dr. Mark Elkin Rawls (Adrianne) of Nashville, TN; and Melanie Rawls Armour (Shane) of Jackson, MS. He is survived by 9 great grandchildren: Ashley and Collin Lauterbach; Charlotte Elkin; Daniel, Mark and Reid Boatright; James and Jonathan Rawls; and Michael Armour. Mr. Elkin was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Mollie Elkin, his brothers Ennis Elkin, Clarence Elkin, Shelby Elkin, Paul Elkin, and his sister Mary Francis Elkin Davis. Services will be conducted 11:00AM Saturday, August 10, 2013, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home in Franklin, TN, with visitation one hour prior to service Saturday. Interment will be at Williamson Memorial Gardens on Columbia Avenue following the service. Pallbearers will be Dr. David Boatright, Mark Davis, Dr. Chad Elkin, David Johnson, Wesley Lauterbach & Dr. Mark Rawls. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: French Camp Academy, 1 Fine Place, French Camp, MS. 39745. Services in care of WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615-794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com