Jim Elkins (second from right) was honored for his retirement after 65 years of service to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Mr. Elkins was recognized during the September meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. Also pictured (from left) are Bobby Wilson, TWRA Assistant Director, Dwight Hensley, Engineering Division Chief, Mr. Elkins and Jim Bledsoe, TFWC chairman.
Jim Elkins, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s longest-tenured employee, has retired after 65 years of service. Mr. Elkins, who recently turned 91, was honored at the September meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The Tennessee Game and Fish Commission was established in 1949. One year later, on Aug. 1, 1950, Mr. Elkins began his career with what would become the TWRA as a part-time engineering aide. He was hired full-time on New Year’s Day, 1960.
During his years of services, he had numerous reclassifications, promotions, and title changes. At the time of his retirement in August, his title was Transportation Technician 3 within the Engineering Division. He traveled throughout the state and worked on many TWRA construction projects throughout the years. Recent projects included those at Reelfoot Lake and in the Knoxville areas.
Mr. Elkins grew up in the Great Depression, joined the military at age 19, serving in World War II from 1943-45. He was an infantryman in B Company of the 26th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division, also known as the “Big Red One.” Mr. Elkins came ashore in the second wave of invasion on Omaha Beach (D-Day) on June 6, 1944. In addition to fighting in Normandy, he also saw action in Northern France, Belgium, and the Rhineland. He was awarded a purple heart for wounds received in a battle in Germany on Sept. 19, 1944. He received his honorable discharge in October 1945.
During his ceremony at the commission meeting, he was presented with a special glass plaque that included TWRA’s logo and wording inscribed into the glass thanking him for his years of service. Also from the Engineering Division, Jim was presented with a unique certificate that had been framed and matted recognizing his distinguished career and service to his country. Engineering Division Chief Dwight Hensley, reading from the certificate, said “Everyone in TWRA understands what a unique, irreplaceable and special person Jim is, and how fortunate TWRA has been for his many years of service and dedication. We will always consider Mr. Jim Elkins as TWRA’s number one resource.”
A native of Harlen County, Ky., he was one of five children. He was married to his wife, Sarah, who passed away in 2012 after 64 years of marriage. They raised their three children, Barry, Rita, and Mark in Murfreesboro.