Lieutenant Colonel Donald V. Adkins

Lieutenant Colonel Donald V. Adkins July 16, 1935 - October 27, 2016

Born: Tuesday Jul 16, 1935

Died: Thursday Oct 27, 2016

Obituary

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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

View Condolences/Stories

My sincere condolences in your lost. Colonel Adkins was a wonderful officer and gentleman. Prayers for your family during this difficult time.
Amanda Hurley

I was honored to have worked for Col. Adkins at Holmes Middle School. I will always remember his humor, his calm in any storm, and his expertise as a leader. Thinking of his beloved family today, in the loss of this amazing gentleman.
Patricia Simpson

For Monica, Taylor and family, my sincere sympathy to you at this sad time.
Brenda Wright Moore

My sincerest condolences as I knew colonel well working with him for five years and respected him highly.
Bill Horniak

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Colonel Adkins. He was my JROTC commander at Morehead High School as well as my friend later in life. Colonel Adkins is a big part of who I am today. Many lessons in and out of school he taught me. I must say that two words come to mind when I saw him or thought of him- DIGNITY AND RESPECT. Thank You Colonel Adkins for all you taught me.
Clarence Gravely

I will always remember him and he will be missed he was my teacher at Morehead in JROTC he was very sweet and an alsome teacher rip and thank you for serving us and being a cool teacher
Tracy sigmon

Rest in peace Colonel. You will be missed by all who knew and respected you.
Scott Hall

I am sorry for his loss. For those of us that were in ROTC know he was a great man and set the best example. I am proud that my service in ROTC led me to serving 22 years in the Air Force. The basics I was taught by Lt Col. Adkins helped me through out my military career. I thank Lt Col. Adkins for his service and I thank him for his guidance in my youth. RIP Sir.
Scott Edmonds

Sorry to hear this he was my p.e and rotc teacher in grade school super good man he will be missed bye many people always a smile on his face prayers going out for the family I'm so sorry
Lawrence hall

I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all. He was an inspiration to a lot of kids in his rolls at the school. He was my ROTC instructor many years ago. My sympathies, Regina Snyder
Regina Snyder

Thank You Sir, for the example you lived and for the Service you gave.
wade blackwell

Final Taps for Lt. Col. Adkins. A teacher, a coach, a dad and a hero. With his strength and joy, he made our world better.
Ken Doss, Jr.

Don was a great man, good husband and a good father. He was my personal hero. I wish I could be there at the service but I will be in spirit. He will always be an inspiration to all who knew him. I knew him when he first started dating my sister Jane. They are now together forever.
David Rayburn

I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't know your father but he sounds like an amazing and inspirational man. Prayers to you and your family.
Carla Kehoe

To the family of LtCol Adkins: My sincerest condolences on your loss. Col Adkins (I never knew him officially as Don) was my wrestling coach in Jr. HS and my JROTC instructor in HS (Class of 1986). His inspiration contributed to my decision to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 88 and serve for 26yrs and retire. He taught me many things in school and was a great mentor as I grew up. I regret that I cannot attend services for him and personally pay my utmost respect for the Col and to you, his family. I'm positive that he had great impact on many more lives than just mine as it was just his nature. I'm proud to have known him and share my formative years under his guidance. God's blessing to you and may be rest in peace. A final salute to you, LtCol Don Adkins - you will be missed but not forgotten by this Navy Sailor. Very Respectfully, CTNCM(IDW/SW)(Ret) Anthony D. Joyce MHS Class of 1986, JROTC (82-86)
Anthony Joyce

LTC Adkins was a large influence in my life and a driving factory to me entering military service following graduation (Class of 1984). Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Adkins Family during this difficult time.
CSM (RET) Kenneth Dowless

My thoughts and prayers to the family. I remember Lt. Col. Adkins from Morehead High School. He was a gentleman and may he Rest In Peace.
Wendy Woodall

It is with sadness that we say good-bye to Lt Col Adkins as he steps from this life to his eternal home in Heaven. He was an inspiration to everyone and will be missed by all who knew him. May God give you peace, comfort and strength to carry each of you through this difficult time and in the days ahead. God Bless!
Larry, Betty and David Joyce

My thoughts and prayers go out to Col Adkins family and friends. I'm so sorry for your loss and know that you all will be in my prayers over the coming days and weeks ahead. Col Adkins was a great man, I was fortunate to serve in the JROTC at Morehead High School and graduated in 1985. He was always nice to me and I have always respected him so very much. Rest in peace sir, you will be missed but not forgotten. With my sincerest respect, Todd K. Booth
Todd K. Booth

To the Adkins family- We were blessed and so proud to call you all our neighbors for so many years in Meadowood. Col. was an amazing man/coach who so admired by so many in our hometown. I think we all walked a bit taller when he walked by and he was so respected by the students at Morehead. My brother Tim was on the CC and Track team at MHS and Col. had such a huge impact on his life. What a legacy he leaves for all of us. We are thinking of your family with love and prayers.
Amy Carter Bland

The Col. was a giant among the little people, always there to make them better. He is the definition of an educator & friend to so many. He will be missed but remembered & felt.
Ken Doss

Friend and MHS faculty colleague, we are thankful for our recent visit with Don though we are unable to return to Eden on 11/2. Seeing Don reminded us of delightful NYC trips that included Don and Jane. Together with the family for the love of life that they shared with us and the community.
Duane and Gloria Best

To the family of Col Adkins - Please know that you are being remembered in prayer. May the peace and light of God always be your strength. Chaplain John Shimotsu, U.S. Pacific Command
Chaplain Shimotsu

I am so sorry for your loss. Col. Adkins was a great man.
Erika

Our condolences to the Adkins family. Our thoughts and prayers are especially with Mike, Cameron and Ashley Adkins. We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved father and grandfather.
Dye Family

My Deepest Sympathy for Col.Adkins's family and friends. It was an honor to have known him as a teacher and a coach. I remember my very first cross country practice that hot day in August so many years ago. Col Adkins ran with me to keep me motivated. He was a devoted father and husband. He touched the lives of so many. Peace be with you.
LeAnne Harris Martinelli

November 1, 2016 Dear Adkins family, When Linda called and told me of Don’s passing, I was so saddened as I felt another very important chapter in my life had closed – my husband’s best friend had passed. Don and Jane and Jack and I remained friends through the years and while time may have passed between visits and phone calls, the love and friendship never changed. As a couple, we had some wonderful times together from Marshall days forward celebrating our growing families and our changing lives. A picture of Jack, Jane and Don from their last visit here in Florida still holds a place of honor on the table. I so appreciated the visit when Linda and Don stopped by after Jack passed. I am so sorry that I cannot be with you as you celebrate Don’s life, but I send my love and condolences to all of you. The times together always included stories from their youth and it was obvious to me that they both exemplified the true meaning and feelings of being best friends. A best friend favorite is this one as related by Don in his letter to Jack’s Memorial Service in 2008. “One day I remember was May 29, 1947. I remember the exact date because it was the day my youngest brother was born. Jack and my brother, Ken, were riding double on a bicycle and were coming to meet me. They were speeding down the hill when a car pulled out in front of them. They ran off the road and crashed into a ditch. Whey they didn’t meet me, I went looking for them and found them in the ditch. Ken was scratched and bruised, but Jack had a large bump on his collarbone. I am still convinced that it was broken, but Jack was too tough and too stubborn to go to the doctor so it eventually healed by itself.” As best friends while in junior high school they promised each other to be the best man in each other’s wedding. They each kept that promise. Together, they played high school football and track at Stonewall Jackson and college wrestling for Marshall. Yes, they were best friends forever. Don’s passing has made us more aware that while death is universal, we are also aware that the lives which lead to death differ drastically in quality. We realize that some people live their lives with such honor and dignity, that at their deaths it is only fitting that those around them proclaim that this was a life worthy of note, worthy of respect, worthy of honor. We who are left behind remember what Don’s life was like and what he gave. We have little choice but to express our regret that he is gone, but, more importantly, our thanks that he was with us, an example of just how fine a person can be and how great a friend can be. My prayers are with all of you at this most difficult of times. My love to your family, Nancy Young
Nancy Young

You only met a few people in your life that really leave a mark on your life. Col. Adkins was one of those people. I'm not rich nor famous, I'm not a bad person, never been in trouble and I'm a hard worker because of his help long ago I'm doing OK. I don't think he knew the impact that he made on the my life. He will always have a place in my heart, and I always wanted to thank him. Sincerely, Penny Hodge Class of 81' - ROTC and cross country
Penny Hodge

May you continue to love Col. Adkins through your memories and his legacy to family, faith, and community. Our condolences.
David & Candy Smith

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