Who is William Dexter Elkins?

Answer 1

William Dexter Elkins was born in 1940 in Texas. He grew up as an amazing athlete and proved this when he was at one time the greatest pole vaulter in the world.

When he was about 15 yrs old, he and his buddy, David had set up a makeshift pit and were pitifully vaulting into it. The legendary pole vaulter Bob Richards was going down the street in a parade one day, and happened to see this. He stopped the parade and over to talk to them. He told them he would be preaching (he was also a preacher) everyday, and if they would attended his church homilies, he would help them with their pole vaulting skills afterward. Well everyday they went out there, but David was too embarrassed to vault in front of all the people that were there. But Dex got up there and increased 2 ft in one day. This was a big influence on Dex.

He attended North Dallas High School and went to Southern Cal for college. His parents then had to ask him to come back to Dallas and attend SMU. To continue his dream of becoming a world reknown pole vaulter, he was asked to attend the olympic trials and he did. But one day in the Marines while playing some harmless football, he completely twisted his left elbow around. After that, the pole vault was basically done for him. He decided to go into law at SMU. Then he changed his mind and went into SMU's theology school. pre-med. But he soon found the sight of blood was unbearable.

He joined the marines to improve his athletic skills when he was in his twenties. He soon became the only man to ever complete the marine obstacle course within 42 seconds in the world. He was also in the Peace Corps in South America.

When he left the marines with a general discharge due to his elbow injury and objection to the Vietnam War, he substitute taught at Rusk Junior High and attended SMU's school of theology.

He got some more degrees in things like humanities, English, math, and is 6 hours away from a PhD.

He has four children now. He and his second wife had Joseph, and then he met his current wife, Maria and they had Tyler and Anna Rose. Maria had another daughter, Vanessa, before they met, and now Dex loves her as his own.

At 67 with a 33 yr old (Vanessa), a 26 yr old (Joe), an 18 yr old (Tyler), and a 16 yr old(Anna), you could say he's in pretty good shape. Anna Rose has taken up pole vaulting just like her dad, and is getting quite good at it. She vaulted with the varsity track team during her freshman year at Bishop Lynch. (She has yet to go into 10th grade). He says that he is going to get in really good shape again and compete against Anna. Anna is excited to see her old dad doing what he loves again. Hopefully someday she will be just like her father: a world reknown pole vaulter, a loving parent, and a hero for all who think their dreams are impossible.