Claude Edward Elkins Jr. didn’t just build a career; he built a life that changed the fortune of thousands of people in his community. From a modest upbringing in a small Ohio town to his success as a veteran, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, his story teaches us the lessons about the importance of military service, family relations, and community service.
As we take a closer look at his life, you’ll notice a man who values family and the benefit of society more than the wealth he made.
To understand his journey, we need to examine each phase of his life and the concrete actions he took to help others.
Early Life and Education
Claude Edward Elkins Jr was born in 1942 in a small town in Ohio. His father was a machinist, and his mother was a housewife who also did sewing work for extra income. They used to live on Maple Street, where Claude shared a room with his two brothers. His parents taught him the lessons of hard work and honesty at a very young age.
As we all know, the society we grow up in shapes our personality. In the same way, Claude’s supportive community helped him develop resilience and determination, which he showed throughout his life.
His teachers at Lincoln Elementary School noticed two things in him early on:
- Disciplined
- Curious, always asking questions
His fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Peterson, used to lend him books from her personal collection because he had already read through the school library’s American history section.
At McKinley High School, he used to take part in sports and debating compititions and by his junior year, he was a member of the school sports team. From there, he graduated in 1960 with a 3.8 GPA. His principal described him as someone who combined intellectual curiosity with practical wisdom.
After high school, he enrolled in Ohio State University, majoring in business administration. He worked 20 hours a week at the university library to cover his expenses. During his sophomore year, he joined ROTC, a decision that set the stage for the next chapter of his life. He completed his degree in 1964.
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Military Career
After graduating from college, Claude Edward Elkins Jr joined the Army as a second lieutenant. His leadership abilities placed him in the top five percent of his class. The Army assigned him to the 82nd Airborne Division based on his airborne school performance.
In 1966, the Army deployed him to Vietnam. He served as a platoon leader in the 3rd Brigade, taking part in 14 major operations between 1966 and 1967.
During Operation Junction City in February 1967, his unit came under heavy fire. He organized the evacuation of wounded soldiers while holding defensive positions; this action earned him the Bronze Star Medal.
He returned home as a captain in December 1967 and stayed in the Army Reserves until 1972, and left the army with the rank of major with an honorable discharge.
Claude Edward Elkins Jr was a decorated officer, with decorations including:
- Bronze Star Medal
- Purple Heart
- Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- The Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars.
Family Life Of Claude Edward Elkins Jr
Claude married Sarah Thompson on June 15, 1968, in Columbus, Ohio. They met each other through a mutual friend. Sarah worked as a registered nurse at Mount Carmel Hospital throughout their marriage.
The couple had three children:
- Michael in 1970
- Patricia in 1972
- David in 1975.
Claude Edward Elkins Jr values healthy family relations more than anything in his life. Because he believed that only a supportive and loving family is the key to mental stability and character building.
He used to hold family dinners at 6:00 PM every night without exception, where they talked about current events, school projects, life goals, and how to achieve them.
He supported his children in several ways;
- When Michael wanted to join the football team in 1984, Claude Edward Elkins Jr attended every home game and most practice sessions.
- He helped Patricia in her baking business when she was 16.
- For three years, he drove David to 6:00 AM piano lessons without missing a single session.
Not even his wife and children, but he also took care of his mother by managing her daily care and medical appointments till her death
Entrepreneurship
After leaving the army, Claude started Elkins Supply Company with a $5,000 bank loan in 1973. It started as one small shop that supplied cleaning materials to local factories in Columbus. In1978, it expanded to three locations with 24 employees.
In 1981, he identified a gap in the computer maintenance sector and launched Elkins Technical Services, which supplied cleaning and maintenance products to computer rooms and data centers. By 1987, the company had expanded to six states and was making an annual revenue of $4.2 million.
His third venture was the Elkins Property Group, which started in 1990 to manage his commercial real estate. Later on, the company eventually owned and managed 14 commercial properties across central Ohio, which include office buildings and retail spaces.
Between 2000 and 2003, he sold his ownership in all three ventures to gather funds for his philanthropic work.
Philanthropy
He established the Elkins Family Foundation in 1995 with an initial fund of $500,000.
The foundation focused on three areas:
- Education.
- Healthcare.
- Small business development.
Elkins Scholarship Program
The Elkins Scholarship Program was created in 1996 to provide full four-year tuition to students in any Ohio public university, plus a $3,000 annual stipend to students from Franklin County. By 2020, the program had supported 127 students, each required to maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 20 hours of community service per semester.
Mobile Health Clinic
In 1998, Claude and Columbus Community Health Center jointly funded a mobile health clinic serving neighborhoods with limited medical access. The clinic made 187 visits in its first year and served over 3,400 patients. By 2005, the program had grown to two vehicles, making 400 annual visits.
Small Business Incubator
In 2002, he personally funded the Elkins Small Business Incubator, offering low rent and business advice to startups. Between 2003 and 2015, the incubator housed 64 businesses, and 42 of them were still in operation five years later.
Contributions to the Community
Claude Edward Elkins Jr was on the board of the Columbus Urban League from 1985 to 2005 and served twice as president. During that time, the organization doubled its budget and expanded its job training programs.
Big Brothers And Big Sisters Mentor
He volunteered as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor from 1980 to 2010 and worked with eight young men over three decades. Four of his mentees completed college degrees. Two of them have started their own businesses.
After-School Programs for Columbus Students
In 1992, Claude Edward Elkins Jr brought together local business owners to support after-school programs in three middle schools in Columbus.
The programs helped 450 students each year with homework, sports, and career guidance.
The group raised $75,000 in the first year, and it continued until 2015.
Mentoring New Entrepreneurs
Claude Edward Elkins Jr helped the Columbus Chamber of Commerce start a mentorship program pairing experienced business owners with new entrepreneurs.
Between 1998 and 2008, 85 mentor-mentee pairs were formed, and the participating businesses had better survival rates than average.
Legacy and Impact on Future Generations
His community work has inspired many to give back and support the next generation.
The Elkins Scholarship Program now covers students from six Ohio counties. As of 2023, 214 students have graduated from the program as physicians, teachers, engineers, and business owners. Forty-three graduates have created their own scholarship funds for future graduates.
