Lieutenant Colonel Donald Vandelin Adkins, 81, of 1153 Town Creek Road in Eden, passed away Thursday evening, October 27, 2016, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM on Wednesday, November 2, at First Baptist Church, 533 Greenwood Street in Eden.  Burial will follow in Ridgeview Memorial Gardens.  Full military honors will be held at the graveside.

LTC Adkins was born July 16, 1935 in Charleston, WV to the late Lonnie Guy Adkins and Eva Givens Adkins.  Upon graduation from high school in Charleston WV, Adkins enrolled at Marshall University on an athletic scholarship, participating in football, wrestling, and track. His father, who was a World War II veteran, encouraged the military life, so Adkins joined the Army ROTC.  Shortly after graduation from Marshall in May 1958, he was commissioned a second lieutenant.  Adkins retired in June 1979 and took a position with Morehead High School as JROTC Commander, and he later became Athletic Director.  He retired a second time after serving as principal at Holmes Middle School.  Lieutenant Colonel Adkins flew 750 combat missions in Vietnam, earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and 30 Air Medals, one for valor, among other medals. 

He is survived by his six children, Jeffrey Adkins and wife, Tracy of Granite Bay, CA, Mark Adkins and wife, Christine of Plano, TX, Michael Adkins and wife, Teresa of Tampa, FL, Kimberly Crutchfield and husband, Tony of Pearl Harbor, HI, Christina Shotwell and husband, Brent of St. Augustine, FL, and Monica Crutchfield and husband, Todd of Stoneville, NC;  12 grandchildren;  two great-grandchildren;  brothers, Ken Adkins and Richard Adkins; sister, Linda Phillips;  and special friend, Lolly Zain.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Rayburn Adkins.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, November 1, 5 - 7 PM, at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com