Neil Scott Elkins passed away on Thursday,  January 2, 2025 with his life partner,  Tonya, and her mother,  Pat by his side.

Neil was born May 16, 1964, in Arvada,  CO, to Lawrence and Carolyne Potter.   He attended schools in Flagler,  CO, Satanta,  KS, Rawlins, and Sterling,  CO. Neil was a free spirit and after brief stint in the Navy, he lived in several towns, including Las Vegas,  Nevada and Denver, Colorado.   He held many different jobs,  including slinging beef at a meat packing plant,  a professional mover,  working in a stave mill, a gluten plant and hog farms. Anyone who knew him would tell you that he was the strongest,  toughest,  most hard-working man that they knew.  At the beginning of 2017, went to work at KMW, in Sterling,  KS, as a forklift driver. He promoted to a lead man,  after couple of years.  He was still employed there when he passed away.

In April of 2017, Neil met Tonya Horner,  the love of his life and life partner. He moved to Wichita,  KS,  in October of 2017, to be with Tonya and her son,  Chad.   Chad is an adult with autism.  Neil was a sensitive,  compassionate,  and non-judgmental man.  He and Chad had an instant bond.   He also established special relationships with Tonya's parents,  Max and Pat Barker,  her other three kids,  Tiffany,  Ryan (Elsie), Jarrod (Rachael)), and her six grandchildren. They were a part of his family.

Neil enjoyed going to the dirt track races, motorcycles,  many genres of music, classic cars and trucks.   He was an animal lover and liked to make occasional trips to the casino. He was a Las Vegas Raiders fan but would cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs with Tonya, as long as they weren't playing the Raiders.

Neil is loved and missed by many.   He will live in our hearts forever!

Survivors include, Life partner,  Tonya Horner of Wichita,  KS,  Mother,  Carolyne Potter,  of Great Bend, KS,  brother,  Donald Elkins (Susan) of Jefferson City,  MO, sister,  Shawn Melbey (Wayne) of Richland Center,  WI, sister Wendy Crum of Haigler,  NE,  brother,  Shane Potter (Debbie) of Great Bend,  KS,  brother Michael Potter (Nicole) of Hutchinson,  KS,  sister Jennifer Moore (Michael) of Great Bend,  KS,  19 nieces and nephews,  40 great nieces and nephews, and 3 great-great nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his father Lawrence Elkins of Denver,  CO, stepfather Harold Potter of Flagler,  CO and brother in-law,  Gary Crum of Haigler NE.

Neil's wishes were to be cremated and to have his ashes spread in the mountains of Colorado.   A celebration of life party , in Neil's honor,  will be held at a later date.  All family,  friends,  and coworkers will be welcome.