James (Jim) Lawrence Elkin Jr, 85, of Midland, passed away on October 6th, 2012, at his home. Jim was a geologist, a Retired Leutenant Colonel in the U.S Air Force , a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Jim and his wife Jean were residents of the Midland community since 1953.A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 9th, 2012, from 6:00PM-8:00PM at the Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home in Midland. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 10th, at 1:00PM at the Nalley-Pickle and Welch Chapel in Midland with Dr. Steve Schorr officiating. Jim was born on June 4th, 1927 in Dallas, Texas to James Lawrence Elkin, Sr. and Bonnie Dinkle Elkin. Jim grew up in Wichita Falls with frequent trips to the family home in Marshall, Texas. He married the love of his life, Alma Jean Gray, on March 26th, 1948, in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was a 1948 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Geology. He worked at Humble Oil (later Exxon) and also served in the Air Force in St. Louis and Tokyo during the Korean War. Jim's last Air Force assignment was as the Liason officer for the U.S. Air Force Academy in the north Houston area. Jim and Jean lived a typical oil-field life of many moves and new homes – from Hebronville and Kingsville to Ballinger and Floydada. Many years were spent in Midland, Andrews, Houston and Conroe. After retiring from Exxon, Jim worked as an independent Geologist in Midland where he specialized on the Eastern shelf of the Midland Basin. Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His wife was the center of his world, they were married for over 62 years. And they were both so very proud of their family. Jim is survived by his daughter, Liz Lemons and her husband, Curt; his son, Jeff Elkin and his wife, Valorie; his granddaughter Holly Bartlett, her husband Eric and boys Jacob and Jaxson; his granddaughter Sarah Morgan, her husband Dr. Joe and their children Gracie, Owen and Turner; his granddaughter Katy Bownds and husband Dustin and their children Canyon and Sutton; his granddaughter Hannah Lemons, his grandson Josh Elkin and his wife Jessica and their children Shelby and Hayden; his granddaughter Jennifer Bombulie and her husband Mark and their daughter Lucy. Loved ones who will all miss him dearly.JIm was a very charitable man, therefore the family suggests that memorials be made in Jim's honor to the American Cancer Society or to the West Texas Geological Society Scholarship program or to a charity of the donor's choice.Funeral arrangements are under the care of Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland. Jim and Jean will be interred at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
