James
James Elgin, Jr.
d. December 13, 2011
Dr. James Hansford Elgin, Jr., Ph.D., 69, (formerly of Silver Spring, MD) passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at his home in Rocky Ridge, MD. Born February 2, 1942, in Washington, D.C., he was the only child of the late James Hansford, Sr. and Mattie Weaver Elgin.
Jim graduated from Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, MD, in 1960. He received a B.S. degree in agronomy in 1964 and a M.S. degree in plant breeding in 1966 from the University of Maryland. In 1969, he received a Ph.D. in genetics and plant breeding from the Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Elgin’s career of 36 years began in 1961 as a student working on alfalfa genetics and breeding projects with the USDA Agricultural Research Service at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD. Jim continued with the Agriculture Research Service alfalfa improvement programs at Penn State University where he and his wife resided for two and one-half years and rejoiced in the birth of his first daughter. His professional career then took them to the west coast where they lived for five years in Prosser, WA, and were blessed with the birth of his second daughter. The remainder of his career was back at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center where he served as Research Leader for the Germplasm Quality and Enhancement Laboratory. In 1986 he became National Program Leader for ARS’ forage and pasture research programs. Since 1984 Jim served as Designated Authority for the administration of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Seed Certification Schemes in the United States which gave Jim the opportunity to travel and see all corners of the world. Jim had published 145 research publications in the area of alfalfa genetics, breeding, pathology, and entomology and was extremely knowledgeable of a wide spectrum of forage species. He received major awards from his peers as a Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America, The American Society of Agronomy, and an Honorary Member of the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference.
Jim’s love of plants and agriculture came from a lifetime of farming. Whether it was poultry, corn, beef cattle or Christmas trees, farming was an integral part of his life. Jim was a true family man who dedicated his life taking care of those he loved. With always a word of encouragement, he has left an everlasting mark on many who loved him.
Jim leaves behind his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 49 years, Margaret (Peggy) Devona Heflin Elgin, whom he married June 16, 1962; daughters Diane Lovell and husband Richard of Vacaville, CA, and Devona Knower and husband Mark of Mandeville, LA. His spirit continues on with his five grandchildren, Elgin, Turner and Xander Lovell and Austin and Julia Knower.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Graceham Moravian Church, 8231-A Rocky Ridge Road, Thurmont, MD 21788 with Rev. Debbie Scott officiating. His cremated remains will be placed in the family plot at the Woolwine Methodist Church in Woolwine, VA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 108 Byte Drive, Suite 103, Frederick, MD 21702.
Jim graduated from Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, MD, in 1960. He received a B.S. degree in agronomy in 1964 and a M.S. degree in plant breeding in 1966 from the University of Maryland. In 1969, he received a Ph.D. in genetics and plant breeding from the Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Elgin’s career of 36 years began in 1961 as a student working on alfalfa genetics and breeding projects with the USDA Agricultural Research Service at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD. Jim continued with the Agriculture Research Service alfalfa improvement programs at Penn State University where he and his wife resided for two and one-half years and rejoiced in the birth of his first daughter. His professional career then took them to the west coast where they lived for five years in Prosser, WA, and were blessed with the birth of his second daughter. The remainder of his career was back at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center where he served as Research Leader for the Germplasm Quality and Enhancement Laboratory. In 1986 he became National Program Leader for ARS’ forage and pasture research programs. Since 1984 Jim served as Designated Authority for the administration of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Seed Certification Schemes in the United States which gave Jim the opportunity to travel and see all corners of the world. Jim had published 145 research publications in the area of alfalfa genetics, breeding, pathology, and entomology and was extremely knowledgeable of a wide spectrum of forage species. He received major awards from his peers as a Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America, The American Society of Agronomy, and an Honorary Member of the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference.
Jim’s love of plants and agriculture came from a lifetime of farming. Whether it was poultry, corn, beef cattle or Christmas trees, farming was an integral part of his life. Jim was a true family man who dedicated his life taking care of those he loved. With always a word of encouragement, he has left an everlasting mark on many who loved him.
Jim leaves behind his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 49 years, Margaret (Peggy) Devona Heflin Elgin, whom he married June 16, 1962; daughters Diane Lovell and husband Richard of Vacaville, CA, and Devona Knower and husband Mark of Mandeville, LA. His spirit continues on with his five grandchildren, Elgin, Turner and Xander Lovell and Austin and Julia Knower.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Graceham Moravian Church, 8231-A Rocky Ridge Road, Thurmont, MD 21788 with Rev. Debbie Scott officiating. His cremated remains will be placed in the family plot at the Woolwine Methodist Church in Woolwine, VA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 108 Byte Drive, Suite 103, Frederick, MD 21702.
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