Jack Arnold Adkins

1-25-1924 - 6-8-2015 Jack Arnold Adkins, 91, passed away June 8, 2015. Born January 25, 1924, to Henry Grady Adkins and Cephier Rowena Henderson Adkins of Keysville, GA. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Henry Grady Adkins, Jr., and loving wife Mildred Kirkland Adkins. He attended North Georgia College for 2 years before entering the U.S. Navy in 1943. After 33 months he was discharged and entered the University of Georgia in 1946. He completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1947 after enjoying two football seasons. In January 1948 he moved to Birmingham and was hired by U.S. Steel. His first day on the job he met his future bride of 62 years. The young couple married on Sept. 18, 1949 and made Birmingham their home. They later moved to Vestavia Hills in 1957 where they lived until June 2006 when they moved to Kirkwood by the River in Birmingham. Mildred passed away on Jan. 7, 2012 and Jack lived there until he went to be with his Lord and loving wife. They attended the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham since 1950 and were members of The McDorman-Allen Sunday School Class. Jack was an active supporter of the Univ. of GA Football Program and an avid fisherman with his long-time buddy, Charlie Dorsey. Jack is survived by sister-in-law Sarah Adkins (Grady), nephews and nieces James Kirkland (Elaine) of Oxford, Kerry Kirkland (Cathey) of Shoal Creek, Carol Kirkland Lightfoot (Kirk) of Montevallo, Richard Kirkland (Carol) of Birmingham, Deborah Gates (Jerry) of Zionsville, IN, James Adkins (Angela) of Blythe, GA; and many great nieces and nephews. Visitation: 1-2 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2015 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, immediately followed by a 2 p.m. graveside service at Southern Heritage Cemetery, with a memorial service at Kirkwood by the River at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Memorial Fund, Birmingham First United Methodist Church.