James Francis Adkins

Jim Adkins' soul entered heaven on August 6, 2016. His request for his earthly remains involved a cherry red pickup truck with an open tailgate and a long drive down a winding, bumpy road - a suggestion that typified both his pragmatic, no fuss, 'don't worry about it' attitude and his adventurous, irreverent, mischievous, and always unique style. Born February 28, 1945 in Buffalo, New York, 'Jimmy' was the 2nd of five children born to Ruth (Felber) Adkins and Edward Adkins. He was a tinkerer, a curious engineer, and to hear his siblings tell it, a charming stinker from the get go. Jimmy spent his early years attending St. Mary's High School where his primary pursuits included football, wrestling and dancing. He was undoubtedly fond of his early years in Buffalo, as he enjoyed amusing those who would listen with stories of his athletic prowess, fondness for school dances, and tales of leadership and mischief from his youth. In 1962, his parents made their escape from Buffalo's notorious winter, and he settled with the family near Daytona Beach, Florida where he graduated from Mainland High School in 1963. Because of his devout beliefs and positive experiences at St. Mary's, Jim decided to enter the Society of the Divine Savior Catholic Seminary in Wisconsin following high school. After a short stint in Wisconsin (and to hear him tell it, too much bread pudding), he returned to sunny Florida where he attended Daytona Beach Junior College and the University of Florida. Inspired by a summer job with his beloved Uncle Jerry Felber, Jimmy graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from UF in 1969, and would remain a lifelong Gator - believing that orange and blue attire was appropriate for any occasion. After college, he worked building bridges in Tampa, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia before transitioning into a role in engineering consulting. After retirement Jim enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, volunteering his time with his church, working outdoors and occasionally discovering the world. With a curious nature and a self-proclaimed ability to navigate from and to anywhere, he traveled in Europe, Mexico, Alaska and the Caribbean, but was happiest when exploring the back roads of New England. Jim had a lifelong appreciation for kind gestures, wildly inappropriate jokes, underdogs, spontaneous dance parties, curious minds, family games, old cars, pretty women, and long stories. A connoisseur of root beer and old fashioned candy, he always kept a few in his pocket to share with his grandkids. He leaves behind many things he built: his grandson's tree-house, his son's fraternity house, Spaghetti Junction (you're welcome Atlanta!), a marriage with his college sweetheart, Pat, with whom he celebrated 47 years of marriage on August 2, and a loving and equally nutty family including his kids Kathi, Mark, Matt, and Kim, their spouses Paul, Adriana, Lisa and Gerald, and grandchildren Christopher, Santiago, Emma, Sophia, Brianna, Alex, Alisa, Evan, Ella and Olivia. He also leaves the earliest recipients of his mischievous charm, his siblings Tommy, Jeanie, Bobby, and Susie. Everyone who remembers him is asked to celebrate Jim's life in their own way; a dance or two to some 50's music would be entirely appropriate. As per his wishes, a funeral mass will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta, Georgia on August 27th at 10:00 am, followed immediately by a celebration of his life, including 50's music – at Jim and Pat's house. Pat requests that guests consider wearing either Jim's favorite color green or Gator orange and blue to the mass and celebration. In lieu of flowers, Jim would hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in his honor, and then sit under the stars, feel the air on your skin, and recognize the love and beauty that surrounds you... And that's a fact!