In Loving Memory of

Francis Caldwell Elkin

1949 - 2026

The world has lost a kind and gentle soul with a great sense of humor. Francis (Frank) Caldwell Elkin, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully at his home in the early morning hours of July 4, 2026. He died of natural causes related to dementia.

Born on July 15, 1949, in Los Alamos, NM, Frank was the child of Rowena Caldwell Elkin and Price Bush Elkin of Midland and Dallas, TX. After spending his childhood years in Texas, Frank moved to his beloved New Mexico for college and graduated from University of New Mexico with a Fine Arts degree in Photography.

Though compromised by health issues most of his life, Frank never complained, maintained a cheerful attitude, and spent much of his adult life pursuing his passions in photography, wood working, cooking, bicycling, and most significantly as a pet therapy volunteer. For more than 25 years, Frank and his beloved dogs Lucille, Sparky, and Chia brought joy to patients and their family members at facilities like Lovelace Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. Frank chose this volunteer service to, "help make someone's day more pleasant."

In 2007, Frank married the love of his life, Phyllis Frier. Together they enjoyed walking their dog, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, and traveling the world. They established the Francis C Elkin and Phyllis J Frier Foundation from which they have generously supported many local and national non-profits.

Frank was a thoughtful and generous person known for a slightly mischievous sparkle in his eye and a silly sense of humor. His friends and family could count on receiving funny greeting cards from Frank and looked forward to hearing updates about his quirky antics.

Frank is survived by his wife Phyllis Frier (Albuquerque, NM), his stepson Miles Galloway and family (San Diego, CA), his sister, Virginia Elkin Fuller and brother in-law, Robert Kenneth Fuller (Denver, Co), his nieces, Kimberly Fuller Jacoby (Denver, CO) and Kelsey Fuller Fatland (Seattle, WA), and his cousins Julie Peck Bryan (San Antonio, TX), Lawrence Kennett (San Sebastian, FL), Dorothy Kennett (Rutledge, TN), and Mary Kilcer (Rutledge, TN). He was preceded in death by his loving parents Rowena Caldwell Elkin and Price Bush Elkin (Midland and Dallas, TX), Aunt Lois Caldwell Peck (Abilene, TX), Aunt Jennie Elkin Kennett (Kinderhook, NY) and his fur babies Leica, Rockwell, Lucille, and Sparky.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to Animal Humane of New Mexico in Francis C Elkin's memory. Contributions can be made online at https://animalhumanenm.org/donate/. Memorial service details to follow.