Fred Elkins Jr.

Retired Radio Veteran, Talk Show Host Dead

Fred Elkins Jr.

Fred Elkins Jr., the retired veteran radio broadcaster, who was the longtime host of “The Open Mic” talk-show that airs on Perry Publishing & Broadcasting radio stations, died on May 26.

He was 67.A visitation period will be held from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at Temple & Sons Funeral Directors, 2801 N. Kelley Ave.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, at the Fifth Street Baptist Church, 801 NE Fifth St.

He was born on Nov. 1, 1951, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Fred Elkins Sr. and Ardell Wright Elkins.

In 1969, he graduated from Northeast High School in Oklahoma City and went on to graduate from the Elkins Institute of Broadcasting, also in Oklahoma City.

In 1973, Mr. Elkins got his first-class broadcasting license from the federal Communications Commission and, a year later, he was hired by KFJL Radio in Oklahoma City as an on-air radio personality.

He was there for two years, also serving as a weekend newsman, before moving on to a Tulsa station, KKUL.

At KKUL, he was the morning weekday on-air personality and music director.

A year later, Mr. Elkins was hired by KTFX Radio in Tulsa as the creator and host of “The Music Appreciation Hour.”

Next, he joined KAEZ-FM in Oklahoma City as program director.

He worked for KLNK in Oklahoma City as an on-air personality and assistant news director.

He held the same positions at KELS in Ardmore and also worked on a project with the Crystal R Co. as coordinating producer for the television program, “Making It.” He did the latter for three years.

Mr. Elkins then worked for KPRW in Oklahoma City as the morning drive on-air personality.

In 1993, that station was acquired by Perry Publishing & Broadcasting, which renamed the station KVSP and Mr. Elkins was hired as production manager and as an on-air radio personality.

As the company acquired more stations, Mr. Elkins’ role grew with him becoming host of “The Open Mic,” which was aired throughout the state.

He retired in 2012, bringing to an end a 40-year career in broadcasting.

Mr. Elkins was the recipient of a proclamation from Mayor Patience Latting in 1975 and he was the recipient of the Clara Luper Service and Achievement award from the local NAACP Youth Council in 1999.

He was presented the Rita Washington Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Mr. Elkins was appointed to the Oklahoma Board of Rehabilitation services by Gov. Frank Keating.

He is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Raushanah Abdul Raheem.

In addition, he is survived by two daughters, Tamar Hinton and Brandy Elkins; and a son, , Darvis Adkins.

Five sisters are survivors, too.

They are Lou McCullough, Pat Wyatt, Louise Alexander, June Elkins Baker and Marilyn Massong.

He is survived by a brother: Jesse Mathis.

Other survivors are seven grandchildren and a great grandson.

Fred Elkins Jr. (right) while interviewing a guest on “The Open Mic” on Perry Publishing & Broadcasting radio stations.

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