Born in Morristown, Tennessee, Larkins received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University in 1929.

[1] He was Liaison Officer and Legislative Counsel to the Governor of North Carolina Luther Hodges in 1955.

[3] Larkins was nominated by President John F. Kennedy on August 8, 1961, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, to a new seat created by 75 Stat.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 21, 1961, and received his commission the same day.

His service ended with his death on February 16, 1990, in Kinston, North Carolina.