Dr. James (Jim) Philip Elkins' Obituary
James (Jim) Philip Elkins, age 78, born March 30, 1947, passed away on December 27, 2025.
Dr. Jim P. Elkins was born in El Dorado Arkansas 1947 to his father, Raleigh Theron (R.T) Elkins and mother, Audrey Lee Landrum Elkins. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1965. He was a top athlete on both Wildcat football and track teams, was a member of the Oratotio performing choral group, and a member of "The Byways" folk singers.
He attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, was a Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity member, and was a member of the University's elite choral group, Schola Cantorum. He graduated in 1969 with a B.S in Bacteriology. He then attended the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, Little Rock, AR, attaining his Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.) in 1973. He completed a 3-year OB/GYN residency in Tulsa, OK at Hillcrest Hospital.
Dr. Elkins moved to Rogers, AR in 1976 where he was the first OB/GYN physician in Benton county, AR. He became board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1978. He established both the Women's and Children's Clinic in 1976 and later, the Gynecology & Cosmetic Surgery Centre in 1987 where he practiced for over 25 years. He was an innovator in being the first physician to offer VBAC for women, first to offer in vitro fertilization in Arkansas.
Dr. Elkins was very active in his faith in Rogers and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Immanuel Baptist Church, and First Christian Church.
Dr. Elkins absolutely loved competitive cycling and helped to start (or foster) the Walmart-sponsored, Boston Mountain Cyclists (BMC) cycling team and the Annual Joe Martin Memorial Race in Fayetteville, AR.
He was married to Cynthia Drake (1969-1984) and had two children, Jennifer Audrey (Elkins) Hanspal and Benjamen Phillip Elkins; married to Rhonda Chasteen (1986- 2009) and had three children, Michael Elkins, Vanessa (Elkins) Parrish, and Ashlyn (Elkins) Poche; married to Martha (Marty) Milburn (2016-2025).
Dr. Elkins loved singing, playing the piano and guitar, cycling, and performing in both civic and church productions. He was truly a great athlete, student, musician, doctor, father, husband, friend, and personality. He was a loving and caring father and will be greatly missed.
Dr. Elkins is survived by his wife Marty Milburn (her two children Matt (Erin) Milburn and Lindy (Simon) Clifton); Jim's five children, Jennifer (Sujit) Hanspal, Benjamen Elkins, Michael Elkins, Vanessa (Edward) Parrish, and Ashlyn (Kohl) Poche; Jim's two brothers, Dr. Ron Theron (Sondra) Elkins and Dr. John Sidney (Lisa) Elkins; and Jim's eight grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held 1:00 PM Saturday February 7, 2026 at First Christian Church Rogers.
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