Steve Elkins, 83, a longtime resident of Barnhart, TX and former resident of Cloudcroft, NM, passed away on March 23, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas with his daughters by his side. A lifelong rancher and steward of the land, he was known for his incredible work ethic, quiet strength, and the way he showed love through showing up—before daylight, while working cattle, and wherever family and neighbors needed a hand.
Born March 8, 1943, in Longview, Texas—he came into the world while his mother was traveling to Oklahoma to be with family—he was the son of Fred Miller Elkins and Nina Blackstone Elkins. After living a short time in Oklahoma while his father was deployed in WW2, he returned to Texas to the Blackstone-Elkins Ranch, outside of Barnhart, TX, where he learned early the values that shaped his life: keep your word, take care of what’s been entrusted to you, and don’t waste daylight. He attended grade school in Barnhart, TX, Peacock Military Academy his freshman year of high school, and graduated from Reagan County High School in Big Lake, TX. He attended Southwest Texas (now Texas State University) and Tarleton State University, completed Cattleman’s school in Kansas, and then returned home to make his living on the family ranch.
For over 50 years, Steve ran cattle at Elkins Ranch with his father, Fred, and his brother, Mike Elkins, tending the herd and the country with the kind of patience you didn’t learn from a book. He believed in doing things right—mending fence tight, keeping the water wells running, and leaving the place better than you found it. Steve built barns, houses, cattle pens, scooter boats, BBQ pits, firetrucks, and buggies from old Volkswagens. He mastered every trade with precision and organization that was admired by all. He could read the weather, a set of tracks, and a calf’s attitude, and he had a gift for teaching without making a big speech—just by letting you ride along and try again.
He married Patti Holt on June 29, 1968, and together they built a home and raised two daughters, Amy and Becca. He took pride in serving his community through working local rodeos as an active member of the Reagan County Jr Rodeo Association. He was a member of the Barnhart Volunteer Fire Department where he helped with many projects including building fire trucks. He served as a board member of West Texas Rural Counties Association and received the Texas Conservation Award for Elkins Ranch. He served as a County Commissioner in Irion County for 20 years. If you knew him, you probably received a wave from the pickup, a firm handshake, and help that arrived before you finished asking.
In addition to ranching, Steve enjoyed hunting, traveling, and taking pictures of wildlife. His favorite trip was to Africa, where he loved photographing the animals. He enjoyed fishing with friends and family and took an annual trip to Port Mansfield for over 30 years. For several years, he also took buggy trips with his friends and had a lot of fun doing it. He loved to visit and tell stories—if you had a conversation with him, you could plan for at least an hour. His stories—some told straight, some told with a grin—will be repeated for years. He also loved to read, especially about Texas history and Native American history, and over the years he even became friends with the bookstore owners. He was happiest working in his shop at the ranch or in his little leather shop in Cloudcroft.
He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Miller Elkins and his mother, Nina Blackstone Elkins.
He is survived by his daughters, Amy Elkins Irvin and her husband, Brad, of Lubbock; and Rebecca Elkins Goicoechea and her husband, Mike, of Lubbock; his six grandchildren, Justin Irvin and his wife, Stephanie; Brenley Coulter and her husband, Slade; Kambree Hall and her husband, Bryan; Elic Goicoechea, Mia Goicoechea, and Dade Irvin; his five great-grandchildren, Liam Irvin, Lynnon Irvin, Blair Coulter, Emmy Hall, and Grey Coulter; his brother, Mike Elkins and his wife, Mary Lou; his sister, Kathy Beightol and her husband, Rick; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.
Services will be held at 3 pm on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, at Barnhart Community Center, Barnhart, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to West Texas Boys Ranch, in honor of Steve Elkins.
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