Elkins blazed a trail of service

He was a quiet man. You could pass him in the street and not always know it. But wherever James W. Elkins passed by, he left proof of his dedication and citizenship. When James Elkins passed on Monday, he left Bedford County a legacy that few could match.

"He was a wonderful man, and in his passing we are losing one of the true leaders and ambassadors of the community and he will be sadly missed," said Bell Buckle Mayor Dennis Webb.

Born in Bell Buckle 84 years ago, Elkins lived most of those 84 years in his hometown. He left for a while ­-- during World War II -- when he was a combat engineer. He served as a member of the "Rough and Ready" Battalion, the 276th Combat Engineers, and was working on the Lurendorff Bridge in Germany when it collapsed, throwing off Elkins and 200 other engineers. He was pulled from the wreckage and flown to a hospital in Paris. Later he was decorated for his actions.

That selfless devotion was evident throughout his life. Elkins was the first chief for Bell Buckle's fire department -- and continued in the role for more than 40 years. The new fire hall is named for him, with the sign bearing his name being placed just before his death -- on the building and facing the house in which he grew up. At the dedication ceremony, Elkins was presented with a letter and commendation from Gov. Phil Bredesen.

"James Elkins is the cornerstone of the Bell Buckle Volunteer Fire Department," said Webb that day.

Fire chief

A mechanic after the war, he allowed the first group of volunteer firemen in Bell Buckle to operate out of his garage. He stored their first makeshift fire truck, a 1930 Model A Ford, from 1947 until 1949. In February 1950, the Bell Buckle Volunteer Fire Department became official. The state required there be at least 15 men to serve as firemen and someone needed to be appointed as chief.

That honor was bestowed upon Elkins, who served in that position until he retired in 1992.

The town bought a 1950 Chevrolet fire truck that they put into use as soon as it was needed. Elkins kept it in his garage until they built the town's first fire hall on Webb Road in 1953. The 1950 truck now sits in the new fire hall, but is used only for parades and funerals -- and yes, it will be brought out Thursday, when Elkins is laid to rest.

"We'll be carrying him from the church to the cemetery on that truck," said Ronnie Lokey, the current Bell Buckle fire chief.

Craftsman

There are other reminders of his time and talent. Drive by the Celebration grounds -- the classic ironwork gates there are his handiwork. He also created the gates at the old Bell Buckle school and recently designed concrete benches with stone aggregate leaf motifs that were donated to the Bell Buckle town park.

"In fact, before he went into the hospital a month ago, he had done two more benches to go in front of the Coop pavilion," said Jenny Hunt, a Bell Buckle alderwoman and head of the Parks and Recreation board. "They were just placed at the park yesterday. I was taking pictures and was going to take them out to him.

"He was definitely a craftsman," she added. "A very talented individual. He was so proud of that park. He enjoyed being out there and I don't think he ever missed a Fourth of July at the park."

As a decorated veteran, he made sure the town knew its duty when it came to flying the American flag, said Hunt.

"He'd tell us, 'You take it down every night or put a light on it,'" she said. "He was very strict about that."

Gentleman

But he was also, she added, one of the nicest people she'd ever known.

"He was just such a nice man. He always had something pleasant to say."

The community, both Bell Buckle and Bedford County, honored Elkins on numerous occasions for his accomplishments, from lighting the Bell Buckle Christmas tree in 2008 to the Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Special Services Award in 2007. But being a quiet man, he wasn't one to sing his own praises, a fact that frustrated Hunt when it came to the park benches.

"We were just mad at him because he wouldn't sign them," she said, laughing.

"Mr. James Elkins was a quiet, yet strong man and he accomplished so much during his lifetime," said Lokey. "He was a true gentleman and a leader in our community through his work with the fire department and his church. He served our country and our community honorably and will be missed."

Elkins is survived by his bride of more than 50 years, Dorothy.

Services

Visitation will be 5-9 p.m. today at the Bell Buckle United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Bell Buckle United Methodist Church. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Hazel Cemetery in Bell Buckle. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.