Thomas Adkins

Thomas Lee Adkins, age 71 of Shelby, died Wednesday morning July 5, 2017 at The Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Ashland, Ohio surrounded by his family.

Born April 20, 1946 in Columbus, Ohio to James W. and Mary E. (Aumiller) Adkins, he was a Shelby resident the majority of his life. A 1964 graduate of Winter Park High School in Florida, he was an All-State athlete in Track and Field. Following high school, Tom served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War as a flight crew member on a C-47, flying over 130 missions, receiving six Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Tom retired from Shelby Insurance after 26 years in 1999, excelling as a commercial underwriter and a distinguished speaker. Tom was a past member of the Shelby Kiwanis and was actively involved with the First United Methodist Church. He was an avid sports fan, particularly the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians. He loved spending time with his family and friends, taking vacations to the beach, especially to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Tom was an 18 year cancer survivor and courageously again battled cancer for the past year.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine (Kooken) Adkins, whom he married May 23, 1975; his children, Craig Adkins of Shelby, Jeffrey (Sondra) Adkins of Shelby, and Christopher (Emily) Adkins of Bay Village; grandchildren, Samantha, Michelle, Cody, Karli, William, Britany, Chelsey, Mckenna and Logan; his siblings, Kathy (Walter) Reesman of Edgewater, Florida, Karen (Gary) Anderson of Mt. Gilead, Gregory (Patricia) Adkins of Mt. Gilead and Michael D. Adkins of Orlando; sister-in-law, Marlene Adkins of Ontario; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jack and Evelyn Kooken of Shelby; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary and Jill Kooken of Hilliard and Daniel and Trish Kooken of Hooksett, NH and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert J. Adkins, and brother-in-law, Brian L. Kooken.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the Barkdull Funeral Home and Crematory in Shelby, Ohio. Pastor Mike Mahek will officiate with interment held in Oakland Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Squad. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-8 PM. Memorial expressions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.barkdullfuneralhome.com.
 

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