After 33,145 days on this Earth, James Lloyd Adkins of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas died peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, July 16, 2018, with his wife at his side.
Jim was born the second son of William and Nellie Adkins on October 18, 1927, at the Guthrie Ranch in the heart of the Flint Hills near Saffordville, KS. He attended public schools in Chase County and graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1945, where he was active in football, 4-H, and FFA.
Following graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II from July 1945 to October 1948. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Quartermaster 3rd Class.
From January of 1949 to July of 1950, Jim served as the Ranch Foreman on the Spencer Ranch in Chase County, KS where he helped care for 1000 head of cattle on over 5000 acres of pasture. As he said, he “did everything from bringing it in to shoveling it out.”
His life would change forever on June 23, 1950, when Phyllis Ott would introduce Jim to her friend, Elaine Staples, a co-ed at Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). She was sitting in a booth at Mom’s Place in Emporia nursing a 10 cent beer when Jim and a friend walked in. She talked them into using their nickels to play Kay Starr’s song “Bonaparte’s Retreat” over and over again on the jukebox in their booth. He owned a 1947 Ford Coupe with wheat growing in the rusted out floor boards–but she fell in love anyway. The love affair sparked on that June night would be solemnized in marriage on November 23, 1951 at the United Methodist Church in Emporia.
From that marriage would be born their two Eagle Scout sons: William Lloyd in 1959 and David Jay in 1961.
In 1951, Jim join the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway where he worked as a signalman until 1955 when a telegram informed him he had been selected to join the ranks of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
During his service on the patrol, he was stationed in McPherson, Emporia, Alma, Wichita, Salina, and Topeka. During his tenure as a captain, he graduated from the FBI National Academy. He retired from the Patrol at the rank of major in 1980. A sure shot, he won many trophies for marksmanship.
Following retirement from the Patrol, Jim continued his law enforcement career serving as a park ranger at Clinton State Park, a special agent and special agent in charge with the U.S. Defense Investigative Service and as a federal court security officer with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jim was an active member of his community, offering volunteer leadership and service to the PTA, the Boy Scouts of America, the Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Shrine, the American Legion, the Kansas Peace Officers Association and the churches he attended throughout his life. He was a proud associate life member of the KU Alumni Association and a Kansas Hunter Safety Instructor.
In 2002, he returned to the Flint Hills, where he built his last home at One Trails End Drive in Cottonwood Falls, KS. From there he pursued his hobbies as an active gardener, expert candy maker, award-winning barbecue chef and certified barbecue contest judge. He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was surveying his property on his John Deere gator, cutting brush or feeding the wild turkeys.
He knew the love of many animals over the course of his life including Cindy, a toy collie, who worshipped him and a cat, Leo, who could have cared less. Louie, the cat who adopted him at his home in Cottonwood and was happy to follow him around as Jim worked outside.
The Kansas Senate passed a resolution on the occasion of Jim’s 90th birthday in 2017 which stated in part “A son of the Flint Hills, James Adkins is a friend to many, a great husband, father and grandfather and a leader whose character brings credit to the word Kansan.”
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elaine Staples Adkins and his sons, William (Brooke Thorstenberg) of Haysville, KS and David (Lisa) of Lexington, KY; his beloved granddaughter, Nell; his sister, Carol Joyce Ayers Cahoone of Strong City and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leo Adkins and Nellie Grace Mitchell Adkins Ayers; his stepfather, Alvin R. Ayers; and brothers, William L. Adkins, Jr. and Don A. Ayers.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 2 to 4 PM at St. Anthony’s Hall in Strong City, KS with a short program at 2:30 PM.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Elaine Adkins at 400 Sunset Drive, Council Grove, KS 66846. Jim’s remains will be interred in the Adkins family plot in Hillside Cemetery in Toledo Township, KS in a private family ceremony.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Emporia State University Foundation which may be sent in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com or Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home on Facebook.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Jim wrote, “I have been blessed with a wonderful life surrounded by those who gave me life as well as all family, friends and co-workers who made life worth living.”
Jim was known for his dry sense of humor and work ethic. His word was his bond. He served witness to his faith in God by his many acts of humility, kindness and respect.
His was a long life well lived. KHP K-72 is 10-7.
Jim was born the second son of William and Nellie Adkins on October 18, 1927, at the Guthrie Ranch in the heart of the Flint Hills near Saffordville, KS. He attended public schools in Chase County and graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1945, where he was active in football, 4-H, and FFA.
Following graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II from July 1945 to October 1948. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Quartermaster 3rd Class.
From January of 1949 to July of 1950, Jim served as the Ranch Foreman on the Spencer Ranch in Chase County, KS where he helped care for 1000 head of cattle on over 5000 acres of pasture. As he said, he “did everything from bringing it in to shoveling it out.”
His life would change forever on June 23, 1950, when Phyllis Ott would introduce Jim to her friend, Elaine Staples, a co-ed at Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). She was sitting in a booth at Mom’s Place in Emporia nursing a 10 cent beer when Jim and a friend walked in. She talked them into using their nickels to play Kay Starr’s song “Bonaparte’s Retreat” over and over again on the jukebox in their booth. He owned a 1947 Ford Coupe with wheat growing in the rusted out floor boards–but she fell in love anyway. The love affair sparked on that June night would be solemnized in marriage on November 23, 1951 at the United Methodist Church in Emporia.
From that marriage would be born their two Eagle Scout sons: William Lloyd in 1959 and David Jay in 1961.
In 1951, Jim join the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway where he worked as a signalman until 1955 when a telegram informed him he had been selected to join the ranks of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
During his service on the patrol, he was stationed in McPherson, Emporia, Alma, Wichita, Salina, and Topeka. During his tenure as a captain, he graduated from the FBI National Academy. He retired from the Patrol at the rank of major in 1980. A sure shot, he won many trophies for marksmanship.
Following retirement from the Patrol, Jim continued his law enforcement career serving as a park ranger at Clinton State Park, a special agent and special agent in charge with the U.S. Defense Investigative Service and as a federal court security officer with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jim was an active member of his community, offering volunteer leadership and service to the PTA, the Boy Scouts of America, the Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Shrine, the American Legion, the Kansas Peace Officers Association and the churches he attended throughout his life. He was a proud associate life member of the KU Alumni Association and a Kansas Hunter Safety Instructor.
In 2002, he returned to the Flint Hills, where he built his last home at One Trails End Drive in Cottonwood Falls, KS. From there he pursued his hobbies as an active gardener, expert candy maker, award-winning barbecue chef and certified barbecue contest judge. He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was surveying his property on his John Deere gator, cutting brush or feeding the wild turkeys.
He knew the love of many animals over the course of his life including Cindy, a toy collie, who worshipped him and a cat, Leo, who could have cared less. Louie, the cat who adopted him at his home in Cottonwood and was happy to follow him around as Jim worked outside.
The Kansas Senate passed a resolution on the occasion of Jim’s 90th birthday in 2017 which stated in part “A son of the Flint Hills, James Adkins is a friend to many, a great husband, father and grandfather and a leader whose character brings credit to the word Kansan.”
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elaine Staples Adkins and his sons, William (Brooke Thorstenberg) of Haysville, KS and David (Lisa) of Lexington, KY; his beloved granddaughter, Nell; his sister, Carol Joyce Ayers Cahoone of Strong City and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leo Adkins and Nellie Grace Mitchell Adkins Ayers; his stepfather, Alvin R. Ayers; and brothers, William L. Adkins, Jr. and Don A. Ayers.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 2 to 4 PM at St. Anthony’s Hall in Strong City, KS with a short program at 2:30 PM.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Elaine Adkins at 400 Sunset Drive, Council Grove, KS 66846. Jim’s remains will be interred in the Adkins family plot in Hillside Cemetery in Toledo Township, KS in a private family ceremony.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Emporia State University Foundation which may be sent in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com or Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home on Facebook.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Jim wrote, “I have been blessed with a wonderful life surrounded by those who gave me life as well as all family, friends and co-workers who made life worth living.”
Jim was known for his dry sense of humor and work ethic. His word was his bond. He served witness to his faith in God by his many acts of humility, kindness and respect.
His was a long life well lived. KHP K-72 is 10-7.
After 33,145 days on this Earth, James Lloyd Adkins of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas died peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, July 16, 2018, with his wife at his side.
Jim was born the second son of William and Nellie Adkins on October 18, 1927, at the Guthrie Ranch in the heart of the Flint Hills near Saffordville, KS. He attended public schools in Chase County and graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1945, where he was active in football, 4-H, and FFA.
Following graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II from July 1945 to October 1948. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Quartermaster 3rd Class.
From January of 1949 to July of 1950, Jim served as the Ranch Foreman on the Spencer Ranch in Chase County, KS where he helped care for 1000 head of cattle on over 5000 acres of pasture. As he said, he “did everything from bringing it in to shoveling it out.”
His life would change forever on June 23, 1950, when Phyllis Ott would introduce Jim to her friend, Elaine Staples, a co-ed at Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). She was sitting in a booth at Mom’s Place in Emporia nursing a 10 cent beer when Jim and a friend walked in. She talked them into using their nickels to play Kay Starr’s song “Bonaparte’s Retreat” over and over again on the jukebox in their booth. He owned a 1947 Ford Coupe with wheat growing in the rusted out floor boards–but she fell in love anyway. The love affair sparked on that June night would be solemnized in marriage on November 23, 1951 at the United Methodist Church in Emporia.
From that marriage would be born their two Eagle Scout sons: William Lloyd in 1959 and David Jay in 1961.
In 1951, Jim join the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway where he worked as a signalman until 1955 when a telegram informed him he had been selected to join the ranks of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
During his service on the patrol, he was stationed in McPherson, Emporia, Alma, Wichita, Salina, and Topeka. During his tenure as a captain, he graduated from the FBI National Academy. He retired from the Patrol at the rank of major in 1980. A sure shot, he won many trophies for marksmanship.
Following retirement from the Patrol, Jim continued his law enforcement career serving as a park ranger at Clinton State Park, a special agent and special agent in charge with the U.S. Defense Investigative Service and as a federal court security officer with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jim was an active member of his community, offering volunteer leadership and service to the PTA, the Boy Scouts of America, the Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Shrine, the American Legion, the Kansas Peace Officers Association and the churches he attended throughout his life. He was a proud associate life member of the KU Alumni Association and a Kansas Hunter Safety Instructor.
In 2002, he returned to the Flint Hills, where he built his last home at One Trails End Drive in Cottonwood Falls, KS. From there he pursued his hobbies as an active gardener, expert candy maker, award-winning barbecue chef and certified barbecue contest judge. He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was surveying his property on his John Deere gator, cutting brush or feeding the wild turkeys.
He knew the love of many animals over the course of his life including Cindy, a toy collie, who worshipped him and a cat, Leo, who could have cared less. Louie, the cat who adopted him at his home in Cottonwood and was happy to follow him around as Jim worked outside.
The Kansas Senate passed a resolution on the occasion of Jim’s 90th birthday in 2017 which stated in part “A son of the Flint Hills, James Adkins is a friend to many, a great husband, father and grandfather and a leader whose character brings credit to the word Kansan.”
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elaine Staples Adkins and his sons, William (Brooke Thorstenberg) of Haysville, KS and David (Lisa) of Lexington, KY; his beloved granddaughter, Nell; his sister, Carol Joyce Ayers Cahoone of Strong City and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leo Adkins and Nellie Grace Mitchell Adkins Ayers; his stepfather, Alvin R. Ayers; and brothers, William L. Adkins, Jr. and Don A. Ayers.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 2 to 4 PM at St. Anthony’s Hall in Strong City, KS with a short program at 2:30 PM.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Elaine Adkins at 400 Sunset Drive, Council Grove, KS 66846. Jim’s remains will be interred in the Adkins family plot in Hillside Cemetery in Toledo Township, KS in a private family ceremony.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Emporia State University Foundation which may be sent in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com or Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home on Facebook.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Jim wrote, “I have been blessed with a wonderful life surrounded by those who gave me life as well as all family, friends and co-workers who made life worth living.”
Jim was known for his dry sense of humor and work ethic. His word was his bond. He served witness to his faith in God by his many acts of humility, kindness and respect.
His was a long life well lived. KHP K-72 is 10-7.
Jim was born the second son of William and Nellie Adkins on October 18, 1927, at the Guthrie Ranch in the heart of the Flint Hills near Saffordville, KS. He attended public schools in Chase County and graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1945, where he was active in football, 4-H, and FFA.
Following graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II from July 1945 to October 1948. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Quartermaster 3rd Class.
From January of 1949 to July of 1950, Jim served as the Ranch Foreman on the Spencer Ranch in Chase County, KS where he helped care for 1000 head of cattle on over 5000 acres of pasture. As he said, he “did everything from bringing it in to shoveling it out.”
His life would change forever on June 23, 1950, when Phyllis Ott would introduce Jim to her friend, Elaine Staples, a co-ed at Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). She was sitting in a booth at Mom’s Place in Emporia nursing a 10 cent beer when Jim and a friend walked in. She talked them into using their nickels to play Kay Starr’s song “Bonaparte’s Retreat” over and over again on the jukebox in their booth. He owned a 1947 Ford Coupe with wheat growing in the rusted out floor boards–but she fell in love anyway. The love affair sparked on that June night would be solemnized in marriage on November 23, 1951 at the United Methodist Church in Emporia.
From that marriage would be born their two Eagle Scout sons: William Lloyd in 1959 and David Jay in 1961.
In 1951, Jim join the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway where he worked as a signalman until 1955 when a telegram informed him he had been selected to join the ranks of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
During his service on the patrol, he was stationed in McPherson, Emporia, Alma, Wichita, Salina, and Topeka. During his tenure as a captain, he graduated from the FBI National Academy. He retired from the Patrol at the rank of major in 1980. A sure shot, he won many trophies for marksmanship.
Following retirement from the Patrol, Jim continued his law enforcement career serving as a park ranger at Clinton State Park, a special agent and special agent in charge with the U.S. Defense Investigative Service and as a federal court security officer with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jim was an active member of his community, offering volunteer leadership and service to the PTA, the Boy Scouts of America, the Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Shrine, the American Legion, the Kansas Peace Officers Association and the churches he attended throughout his life. He was a proud associate life member of the KU Alumni Association and a Kansas Hunter Safety Instructor.
In 2002, he returned to the Flint Hills, where he built his last home at One Trails End Drive in Cottonwood Falls, KS. From there he pursued his hobbies as an active gardener, expert candy maker, award-winning barbecue chef and certified barbecue contest judge. He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was surveying his property on his John Deere gator, cutting brush or feeding the wild turkeys.
He knew the love of many animals over the course of his life including Cindy, a toy collie, who worshipped him and a cat, Leo, who could have cared less. Louie, the cat who adopted him at his home in Cottonwood and was happy to follow him around as Jim worked outside.
The Kansas Senate passed a resolution on the occasion of Jim’s 90th birthday in 2017 which stated in part “A son of the Flint Hills, James Adkins is a friend to many, a great husband, father and grandfather and a leader whose character brings credit to the word Kansan.”
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elaine Staples Adkins and his sons, William (Brooke Thorstenberg) of Haysville, KS and David (Lisa) of Lexington, KY; his beloved granddaughter, Nell; his sister, Carol Joyce Ayers Cahoone of Strong City and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leo Adkins and Nellie Grace Mitchell Adkins Ayers; his stepfather, Alvin R. Ayers; and brothers, William L. Adkins, Jr. and Don A. Ayers.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 2 to 4 PM at St. Anthony’s Hall in Strong City, KS with a short program at 2:30 PM.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Elaine Adkins at 400 Sunset Drive, Council Grove, KS 66846. Jim’s remains will be interred in the Adkins family plot in Hillside Cemetery in Toledo Township, KS in a private family ceremony.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Emporia State University Foundation which may be sent in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com or Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home on Facebook.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Jim wrote, “I have been blessed with a wonderful life surrounded by those who gave me life as well as all family, friends and co-workers who made life worth living.”
Jim was known for his dry sense of humor and work ethic. His word was his bond. He served witness to his faith in God by his many acts of humility, kindness and respect.
His was a long life well lived. KHP K-72 is 10-7.
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