James O. Elbin II — affectionately known as “Elbo” or “Maui Jim” to many — went to his heavenly home on Thursday, July 24, 2025, after a courageous battle with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and Parkinson’s disease. He passed with his family by his side.
Born on Feb. 12, 1952, in Columbus, Ohio, to James and Edith Elbin, Jim spent his early years in Erie, Penn., before choosing to serve his country. At just 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1969. Over the next nine years, he served honorably, including time in Force Recon and as a drill Instructor. Jim completed a tour in Vietnam alongside his Marine brothers — bonds that lasted a lifetime and remained a source of support and camaraderie through the years.
In 1974, Elbo met the love of his life, Carol Anderson, also a Marine, from Idaho, in Oceanside, Calif. After a brief courtship, they married and spent the next 50-plus years building a life centered on faith, love and family.
Jim spent over 30 years making paper at Clearwater Paper where he earned the nickname “Maui Jim” for his extensive collection of Hawaiian shirts that helped him survive the hot and humid paper machine floor. When not on shift work, he could be found in the mountains, alongside a river or stream with Carol and close friends and family, and supporting his children and grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities. After retiring, the adventures continued taking them to places like Hawaii and Alaska, anywhere the fish and animals outnumbered the people.
Jim is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Jimmy and daughter-in-law, Aspen, and Hannah and son-in-law, Brett; and three beloved grandchildren, Abram, Jairus and Anna. His legacy of leadership, strength, service and love will live on through them and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Culdesac Community Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Opportunities Unlimited, Inc. or any local veteran’s assistance program. And thank a veteran, every day.
Condolences
Joe "Riggro" Vela
To the family of a man I never met, I offer my condolences, and as a brother Force Recon Marine, separated only by generation, I DID know "Elbo". I knew who he was through the highest standards achievable as a man, because it is this character as it is EVERY Force Recon Marine, that we know each other without ever having met. You see, Jim's standards spanned across generations of warriors and carried on a tradition of excellence beyond normal Marine traditions, and although he may be gone from this world, his legacy continues to connect in the Force Recon community. I retired 21 years ago and I like to think I carried the torch for a while after Jim handed it off to me, and now as my generation grows old and as we begin our own climb to Heavens gate, I am passing the torch to the next generation. And the good news, it only gets better with every generation because of men like James "Elbo" Elbin. So, I thank God for him, but I never met him. My condolences to the survivors, but you all can rest knowing he lives on in the heart and spirit of every Force Recon Marine.
Monday, August 25, 2025 5:20 AM
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