Jerry Leroy Elkins Sr.

Jerry Leroy Elkins passed away on November 15, 2023^,  in Manhattan, KS.  Jerry was born in Neodesha on February 4, 1941 to Esley E. Elkins Jr and Tina L Bird Williams.  Services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home, Neodesha, KS.

Jerry graduated from Neodesha High School in 1959.  He attended college at Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma before serving in the Navy from 1962-1966.  Jerry earned his bachelor’s degree from Friends University in Wichita before attaining his Master’s Degree in Statistics from Boston University.

Jerry had a long career in banking, real estate and insurance.  He began his career as President of the Neodesha Savings & Loan in 1967. He sold real estate and insurance for many years in Neodesha as J L Elkins Realtors.  He joined the FDIC in the 80’s and then continued his career in the banking industry helping banks who faced regulatory issues.  His career lead him across the United States.

Jerry loved to serve others and always made time for those who needed someone to connect with. Jerry  traveled the country and world to help others.  Jerry also loved being with family and was very sentimental with those closest to him, showing his love through written letters, loving calls, and voicemails.  He loved golf and was a talented athlete growing up, playing multiple sports (including basketball in college) and was also musically inclined.  He was an excellent trumpet player, and his family will always remember how beautiful it was to hear him whistling throughout the house on weekend mornings. 

Jerry is survived by his wife Gail Masinton, Manhattan, KS; daughter Michele Elkins, Tulsa, OK; sons Jerry (Jill) Elkins, Leesburg, VA; Eric (Leslie) Elkins, Decatur, IL; step daughter, Dawn (Mark) Vandeberg, Arvada, CO and stepson Greg (Lael) Masinton, Girona, Spain; brothers Nick (Mary) Elkins, Harveyville, KS;  Rick (Dana) Elkins, Bartlesville, OK; John  S. Legg, St. Petersburg, FL and sisters Sandra K. Moran, Terry J. Grant and Debra R. Kolatosk all of the St Petersburg, FL area and 7 grandchildren Ashton Olive, Ryan Olive, Hudson Elkins, Charleston Elkins, Pierce Elkins, Sullivan Elkins and Adeline Elkins.  Jerry was predeceased by his mother, father, step-mother, Ocie Lee (Usher) Elkins Gentry and his brother Kerry Elkins. Jerry was a Friend of Bill.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the PKU Hope Foundation.  Jerry’s grandson Hudson has PKU and as a result his body is unable to metabolize protein effectively and requires that he maintain a life-long protein restricted diet.  The mission of the PKU Hope Foundation is to improve the quality of life for those living with PKU by fostering community, influencing, and supporting research treatment therapies, and easing the burden of managing the PKU diet.  See more at www.pkuhope.org or donate using the following QR code: