Linkous, Clovis E.

Clovis Emanuel Linkous, of Blacksburg, Va., passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Leslie and Rosa Violet Crumpacker Linkous and brother, Robert Edward Linkous.

He is survived by his wife, Rosa Holcomb Linkous; son, Harold Leslie, of Louisville, Colo.; son, Clovis Alan and his wife, Li-Ching Wang, of Merritt Island, Fla.; and grandsons, Henry, James and William; brother, Dennis Eugene; brother, Daniel Cleophus and his wife, Patsy; and many other beloved relatives.

Clovis was born on December 8, 1928, and grew up in the community of Belmont, Montgomery County, Va. He attended Christiansburg High School, graduating in 1945 at the age of 16. He then attended Virginia Tech, then Virginia Polytechnic Institute, majoring in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation in 1949, he married a beautiful young lady by name of Rosa Arneda Holcomb, and struck out into the world together.

He went to work for the General Electric Company and remained with them for the duration of his career, retiring in 1988 as manager of technical resources. He was in the Motor Division at the GE facilities on Broadway and on Taylor Street in Fort Wayne, Ind., for 39 years. He was a registered professional engineer in the state of Indiana for 45 years. While at GE, he earned his Master’s degree from Purdue University in 1964. His technical work resulted in the granting of twelve United States patents.

He was a member of the General Electric Management Society and also the Elfun Society, which twice recognized him for outstanding community service. He served on the board of “Science Central,” a children’s science museum in Fort Wayne. He also served as a mentor to at-risk students in the Fort Wayne Community School District and to families affected by urban renewal projects. He served many years in various capacities with the Plymouth Congregational Church.

Some years after retiring, he returned with Rosa to his roots in Virginia, establishing a residence in Blacksburg in 1998. He continued his interest in history, serving on the board of the Montgomery Museum and Lewis Miller Regional Art Center. He also volunteered at the Harding Elementary School. He was an active member of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.

He authored five books on local history and genealogy, including “General Electric at Fort Wayne, Indiana: a 110 Year History” and “The Linkous Family History, expanded.” His community heritage inspired him to write “Twelve Stones for Belmont,” an account of the original settlers of that area. His genealogical travels took him as far as Weissenborn-Luderode, Germany, from where Heinrich Specht Linckost came to America in 1776.
Busy as he was, he still had time for hobbies, golf, bridge, square dancing, travel and Elder Hostel seminars.

A memorial service will be held at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church on Church Street in Blacksburg at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2008. Donations may be made in his memory to the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church or the United Way of Montgomery County in lieu of flowers.