Elbert F. Atkins, Jr., 81 of Hill, NM, passed quietly into the Gates of Heaven on January 16, 2007 at Casa de Oro Care Center, just one-half mile from where he was born. Junior, as most people knew him, was born to Elbert F. Atkins and Carlotta Lopez Atkins on January 15, 1926. Junior lived most of his life in the Mesilla Valley. The youngest of five children, Junior, played center for the Las Cruces Bulldogs before serving on PT Boats in the South Pacific during World War II. After being discharged from the Navy he enrolled in college, studying agriculture at NMSU. Along with his parents, Junior farmed in Hill and helped establish the strong farming community seen in the North Valley today.
Junior met Shirley Huff in 1954 and proposed to her at the Radium Springs Swimming Pool; they married and had six children. After leaving farming, Junior became an ironworker, helping establish the Phelps Dodge Mining site in Tyrone, New Mexico. Other notable structures he helped construct were the London Bridge, re-located to Lake Havasu City, Arizona; the Space Shuttle landing strip at White Sands Missile Range; and the Natatorium at NMSU; retiring from ironworking in 1985. Junior spent 20 years caring for his beloved mother until her death in July of 1999.
Junior was active in many service organizations such as the Eagles and Lions, but he devotedly served VFW Post 10124 in many capacities including Post Commander. He loved bowling and his team was City Champions two years in a row. Junior could tell a good story on himself once saying, "During my high school years the only person who spent more time in the principal's office than I did-was the principal."
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Elaine, former wife Shirley and two sons Mark Atkins and John Muller. Junior is survived by his daughter Carla Atkins of Las Cruces; sons Larry and wife Kim of Hesperia, CA, Dennis and wife Kathy of Campbell, CA and James Atkins of Las Cruces. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; Erik Daugherty, Aaron Daugherty, Rebecca Daugherty, Kristina Sims, Ashley Atkins, Kristin Siperon, Chelsea Atkins, Katherine Atkins, Laura Atkins and Jessica Muller; and four great grandchildren Ezrah Daugherty, Zachariah Atkins, Kaydence Muller and Caelyn Siperon. Junior will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of good friends.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at Graham's Mortuary Chapel, 555 W. Amador, Las Cruces. Burial will follow the services at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Junior met Shirley Huff in 1954 and proposed to her at the Radium Springs Swimming Pool; they married and had six children. After leaving farming, Junior became an ironworker, helping establish the Phelps Dodge Mining site in Tyrone, New Mexico. Other notable structures he helped construct were the London Bridge, re-located to Lake Havasu City, Arizona; the Space Shuttle landing strip at White Sands Missile Range; and the Natatorium at NMSU; retiring from ironworking in 1985. Junior spent 20 years caring for his beloved mother until her death in July of 1999.
Junior was active in many service organizations such as the Eagles and Lions, but he devotedly served VFW Post 10124 in many capacities including Post Commander. He loved bowling and his team was City Champions two years in a row. Junior could tell a good story on himself once saying, "During my high school years the only person who spent more time in the principal's office than I did-was the principal."
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Elaine, former wife Shirley and two sons Mark Atkins and John Muller. Junior is survived by his daughter Carla Atkins of Las Cruces; sons Larry and wife Kim of Hesperia, CA, Dennis and wife Kathy of Campbell, CA and James Atkins of Las Cruces. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; Erik Daugherty, Aaron Daugherty, Rebecca Daugherty, Kristina Sims, Ashley Atkins, Kristin Siperon, Chelsea Atkins, Katherine Atkins, Laura Atkins and Jessica Muller; and four great grandchildren Ezrah Daugherty, Zachariah Atkins, Kaydence Muller and Caelyn Siperon. Junior will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of good friends.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at Graham's Mortuary Chapel, 555 W. Amador, Las Cruces. Burial will follow the services at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Elbert F. Atkins, Jr., 81 of Hill, NM, passed quietly into the Gates of Heaven on January 16, 2007 at Casa de Oro Care Center, just one-half mile from where he was born. Junior, as most people knew him, was born to Elbert F. Atkins and Carlotta Lopez Atkins on January 15, 1926. Junior lived most of his life in the Mesilla Valley. The youngest of five children, Junior, played center for the Las Cruces Bulldogs before serving on PT Boats in the South Pacific during World War II. After being discharged from the Navy he enrolled in college, studying agriculture at NMSU. Along with his parents, Junior farmed in Hill and helped establish the strong farming community seen in the North Valley today.
Junior met Shirley Huff in 1954 and proposed to her at the Radium Springs Swimming Pool; they married and had six children. After leaving farming, Junior became an ironworker, helping establish the Phelps Dodge Mining site in Tyrone, New Mexico. Other notable structures he helped construct were the London Bridge, re-located to Lake Havasu City, Arizona; the Space Shuttle landing strip at White Sands Missile Range; and the Natatorium at NMSU; retiring from ironworking in 1985. Junior spent 20 years caring for his beloved mother until her death in July of 1999.
Junior was active in many service organizations such as the Eagles and Lions, but he devotedly served VFW Post 10124 in many capacities including Post Commander. He loved bowling and his team was City Champions two years in a row. Junior could tell a good story on himself once saying, "During my high school years the only person who spent more time in the principal's office than I did-was the principal."
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Elaine, former wife Shirley and two sons Mark Atkins and John Muller. Junior is survived by his daughter Carla Atkins of Las Cruces; sons Larry and wife Kim of Hesperia, CA, Dennis and wife Kathy of Campbell, CA and James Atkins of Las Cruces. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; Erik Daugherty, Aaron Daugherty, Rebecca Daugherty, Kristina Sims, Ashley Atkins, Kristin Siperon, Chelsea Atkins, Katherine Atkins, Laura Atkins and Jessica Muller; and four great grandchildren Ezrah Daugherty, Zachariah Atkins, Kaydence Muller and Caelyn Siperon. Junior will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of good friends.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at Graham's Mortuary Chapel, 555 W. Amador, Las Cruces. Burial will follow the services at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Junior met Shirley Huff in 1954 and proposed to her at the Radium Springs Swimming Pool; they married and had six children. After leaving farming, Junior became an ironworker, helping establish the Phelps Dodge Mining site in Tyrone, New Mexico. Other notable structures he helped construct were the London Bridge, re-located to Lake Havasu City, Arizona; the Space Shuttle landing strip at White Sands Missile Range; and the Natatorium at NMSU; retiring from ironworking in 1985. Junior spent 20 years caring for his beloved mother until her death in July of 1999.
Junior was active in many service organizations such as the Eagles and Lions, but he devotedly served VFW Post 10124 in many capacities including Post Commander. He loved bowling and his team was City Champions two years in a row. Junior could tell a good story on himself once saying, "During my high school years the only person who spent more time in the principal's office than I did-was the principal."
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Elaine, former wife Shirley and two sons Mark Atkins and John Muller. Junior is survived by his daughter Carla Atkins of Las Cruces; sons Larry and wife Kim of Hesperia, CA, Dennis and wife Kathy of Campbell, CA and James Atkins of Las Cruces. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; Erik Daugherty, Aaron Daugherty, Rebecca Daugherty, Kristina Sims, Ashley Atkins, Kristin Siperon, Chelsea Atkins, Katherine Atkins, Laura Atkins and Jessica Muller; and four great grandchildren Ezrah Daugherty, Zachariah Atkins, Kaydence Muller and Caelyn Siperon. Junior will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of good friends.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at Graham's Mortuary Chapel, 555 W. Amador, Las Cruces. Burial will follow the services at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
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