Jerry Neal Elkins, age 76, passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at his home in Butler’s Mill. Jerry was married to Gayle Copas Elkins for 56 years. They met, fell in love, and married at a young age. They began a family soon after they were married. Jason Darryl came first in 1971, and Shannon Michelle in 1972. At that age, Jerry loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his friends. Jerry loved his family and being a part of the Copas family. Jerry was a diligent worker, taking pride in being a Quality Engineer at Summa Technology. He told many stories of his friends from when he worked at General Electrics. Jerry was awarded the Atlantis Manned Flight Awareness award in 1989. His company flew him to Florida for the space shuttle lift-off, but he was miserable being away from Butler’s Mill. He said he would never fly again!
Jason and Brandi had their first grandchild, Ty, who could talk his Pops into anything from going down a slide into the pool to riding mini bikes with him. Shannon married Michael in 2012, and Jerry welcomed his next grandson, Chase, with open arms.
As the years passed and Jerry retired, he continued to fish, spend time with his family, and love a good meal. Recently, Pops and Grams have been spending time on their golf cart watering flowers and their garden. There’s so much to Jerry Neal Elkins that could be said. He was one of a kind, and he will be greatly missed.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Ernest, his mother, Lousie Cambron, brothers Donald Ray Elkins and Jackie Elkins, and sister, Debbie “Tootsie” Tilton.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle Elkins, son Jason Elkins (Brandi), daughter Shannon Elkins Thompson (Michael), grandsons Ty Elkins and Chase Thompson, brothers Tommy Elkins and Steve Elkins, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Saturday 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at New Hope Funeral Home. Services will be held at New Hope Funeral Home Chapel, Saturday at 1:00 PM with Rev. Joseph Caswell officiating.
Interment will be in Kennamer Cemetery.
