John was born April 12, 1947 in Bryan, Texas, the son of Johnnie and JoAnn Chapin Atkins. He grew up on the Atkins Dairy Farm on Bird Pond Road in College Station. He was a 1965 graduate of A&M Consolidated High School. John was a member of the Texas Ironworkers Association.
John was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; Brady and Chapin and Joseph and Nettie Atkins.
He is survived by nine aunts and uncles; Billie Tips, Ruth Schade, Margaret Bauer, Jack Chapin, Charles Chapin (Sue), Sue Tatum (Biff), Gay Pierce (Leonard), Nancy Carter and Pat Favorite. Also surviving him are nineteen cousins.
