Larry L. Elkins

Larry L. Elkins, of South Elgin died on June 11, 2017.

Larry’s positive, yet accepting attitude helped him thrive and comfort others during aggressive treatment for pancreatic cancer. His final hours were spent at home surrounded by his wife and children.

He was born in Jonesboro, on Jan. 25, 1942. He was the fourth of six children born of Guy and Ina Elkins.

After graduating from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1960 he married his high school sweetheart, Janet Fitzgerald. In 1961 the young couple moved to Elgin, where he accepted employment at Chicago Rawhide.

Completing his apprenticeship as a millright he was employed in manufacturing maintenance for 42 years. He took pride in his work and the security it provided his family.

Jan and Larry raised their family in Carpentersville, where their children attended Dundee Community High School. Larry and Jan were avid supporters of Dundee athletics and the Dundee Scots.

After his family, his lifelong passion was fast-pitch softball. From the 1960s and forward he was a sought-after pitcher in the Elgin area. 

He was a member of Dundee Jockey Club Fast pitch softball team.

He pitched over 1,500 games in his career and was known for mastering the knuckleball. The family lost count of the number of “no-hitters” he pitched. 

To the surprise of many, he was still pitching when his son, Dale joined the team. This was the achievement of one of his personal goals and made him very proud.

After retirement in 2003 he logged many volunteer hours leading fast-pitch clinics with the Dundee Park District. He served as the pitching coach for Hampshire High School where he was affectionately referred to as “Coach Larry.” The shining star in his softball career was coaching two of his granddaughters during their years at Hampshire High.

Larry and Jan spent retirement winters in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they walked the beach daily with their dog, Angel. Larry will be missed by many close friends, fellow snow-birders at Myrtle Beach.

He is survived by his wife Jan; his son Dale (Heather) Elkins; daughter Tina (Tim) Hurst and daughter Tammy (Ken) Worthington. His grandchildren include Kevin (Katie) Eagan, Valerie (Mathieu) Queau, Eric Eagan, Jennifer Hurst, Rebecca Hurst, Allison Elkins and Sophia Elkins. Great-grandchildren are Connor and Willa Eagan. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Frank Elkins. His surviving siblings include Fred (the late Pat) Elkins, Darrell (Linda) Elkins, Marilyn (the late Cliff) Jones and Carolyn (the late Carl) Ferguson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who remember him best for his amazing sense of humor. 

Larry and Jan attended Christ Community Church in St. Charles, where they received encouragement in their faith in Jesus Christ. Larry’s assurance of heaven brought him peace and today brings comfort to his family who survive. 

Memorials can be made to The American Cancer Society, Pancreatic Cancer research.

A memorial service was held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at the Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory in South Elgin. Cremation was private at the Countryside Crematory.