Extracted from The News-Star (Monroe, LA)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008

J. R. AKINS

Kilpatrick Funeral Home
Monroe, LA.

Memorial services for Mr. J. R. Akins, 80, of Monroe, LA will be at 4:00 PM, Thursday , May 15, 2008 at First United Methodist Church of Monroe, LA with Rev. Larry Stafford officiating. Services will be under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe, LA.

Mr. Akins was born January 17, 1928 in Pampa, TX and passed away in Monroe, LA on May 12, 2008. He was a graduate of Haynesville High School, where he was honorable mention All Southern Center in football in 1946 - 1947 and also served as Assistant Scoutmaster. He was a graduate of Northwestern State University where he was a 3 year letterman in football. In 1950 he was Best Offensive Lineman for Northwestern. He taught at Ouachita Parish High School and was an assistant football coach then moved to Ouachita Jr. High School as Coach and Assistant Principal. He was the beloved Principal at Jack Hayes Elementary and Jr. High School for 21 years. Mr. Akins was a local President of the Sertoma Club and also served as State President of the Sertoma Club. He was a member of the Shriners/Masonic Lodge and the Shriners Clown Unit, serving as President of the Clown Unit for 20 years. He was Vice-President of the High Twelve Club, supporting the ULM athletic program, President of the Town & Country Homeowners Association and a member of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff Department's Senior Patrol VIP Program. Mr. Akins also served with the U. S. Navy Reserve from 1947 to 1950 and served as a hospital corpsman during the Korean War. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Monroe, LA.

Mr. Akins is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jimmye Dee Hatcher Akins; daughter: Pamela Akins Shumake and husband, Steve and their children: Morgan, Sam and Jack, daughter: Melissa Akins Wilkinson and husband, Gregg and their children: Kristy and Lauren; brother-in-law: Douglas Hatcher and wife, Barb; sister-in-laws: Mrs. Jean Hatcher of Winnfield, LA and Mrs. Dorothy Akins of Oberlin, LA, and many other loving family members.

J. R. Akins was not a spouse, he was a loving husband. He was not a father, he was a daddy. He was not a grandfather, he was a Papaw. He was never an acquaintance; he was always a true friend.

Donations in his memory can be made to: First United Methodist Church Building Fund or The Shriners Children's Hospital in Shreveport, LA.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe, LA.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.