James Ernest Adkins

James “Jim” Ernest Adkins Sr., 74, of Lake Jackson, TX passed peacefully in his sleep on October 26, 2016 in Chattanooga, TN. Jim was born on January 3, 1942 to Howard Lee and Evelyn Adkins in Harlan, Kentucky.

Jim led a long and productive life. After graduating from high school, he entered into the US Army. He proudly served his country for six years during the Vietnam era. While in the US Army, he married Shirley Stallings and together they had three sons. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Ohio with his family. In 1981, he married Carol Sue Rice in Bay City, TX and together they had one son, two daughters, and celebrated over 30 years of happy marriage. Jim provided for his family for more than 25 years, before retiring, by working diligently as a Quality Assurance Auditor travelling much of the world. In over 25 years of work, he was proud to say he never took a sick day. Jim was very detail oriented and could fix, build, or repair anything. Jim loved to garden, spend time with his two dogs, Khai and Luvee, was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and loved to be at home with his family.

For more than five years, Jim battled cancer and was in a medical research study at the time of his passing. He hoped this research would help others in their own fight against cancer.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Howard Lee and Evelyn Adkins and his sons James Adkins Jr and David Adkins.

Jim is further preceded in death by his brothers Pearl Britton Adkins (infant), Willard Franklin Adkins (infant), Gary Adkins, and sister Willie Adkins Jordan.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Carol Sue Adkins; his children, Gary Lee Adkins of Geneva, OH, Brian Adkins (Martha Mays) of Lake Jackson, TX, Jessica Kouches (Jason) of Friendswood, TX, Jamie Wright (David) of Hutto, TX, as well as his two loyal dogs, Khai and Luvee.

Jim is further survived by his sisters Ernestine Adkins Brown, Charlotte Adkins Campbell (Charles Ray), and his brothers Charles Wayne Adkins Sr. (Angie), Joey Adkins, and Michael Lee Adkins Sr.

In addition, Jim is survived by 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.

The family would like to thank CHI St. Luke’s Cancer Center in Lake Jackson, TX and Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN for their outstanding support and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the SPCA of Brazoria County or the American Cancer Society.

Funeral Services will be held at Restwood Funeral Home in Clute, TX on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 12pm; the family will receive guests beginning at 11am.