Russell B. Adkins

Russell B. Adkins was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Russell will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

He was the son of Mary W. And Jay B. Adkins.

A typical teenager, Russell had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He graduated from San Angelo High School in 1955. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

Russell enjoyed his college years, which may have been a challenge with all of the academics, responsibilities, and the sudden freedom that accompanied them, but Russell was able to manage the balancing act. He received a BBA in accounting from Angelo State in 1970. He received a master's in management in 1976.

Empathic and loyal, Russell was committed to making his new family happy.

Russell worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Russell was blessed with five children, two sons; Russell and John. Two daughters; Anita and Aimee and a step daughter Leticia. Another blessing for Russell was the gift of fourteen grandchildren, Meredith, Anabelle, Russell, Charlie, Chad, Lee, Armstrong, Hampton, Boone, Mary, Claire, Christian, Eliana, and Elizabeth Ruth.

Fortunately, Russell enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Russell worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. While attending night school at Angelo State University, he worked for Armstrong Bros. Lumber Company and was general manager for Montgomery Sand & Gravel from 1964 to 1969. Upon graduation from Angelo State he went to work for General Telephone of the Southwest as an internal auditor and progressed to higher positions within the accounting department. In 1977 he moved to Connecticut where he worked with GTE Service Corporation. In 1979 he was appointed accounting director of General Telephone of Indiana located in Fort Wayne. He returned to Irving with GTE Southern Region in 1981 and retired from GTE in 1987. Russell always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Russell served eight years in the Marine Corps both active and in the Reserve. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

Russell passed away on January 28, 2016 at at his home in Colleyville, Texas. He is survived by Beloved wife and partner, Sylvia of Colleyville; four children, Russell C. Of San Antonio, Anita C. Zeis (Randy) of Pottsboro, Aimee C. Simms (Dudley) of University Park, and John A. (Dianna) of Hurst; and stepdaughter, Leticia A. Ruth (Cdr. David) of Severna Park, Md. He is also survived by a special cousin, Mrs. Susie Bolton of Tucson, Ariz. Of special note, for which he was most proud, are his 14 grandchildren, Meredith, Anabelle and Russell Adkins, Charlie and Chad Zeis, Lee, Armstrong, Hampton and Boone Simms, Mary and Claire Adkins, and Christian, Eliana and Elizabeth Ruth. Services were held at First Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas. Russell was laid to rest in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas.

Simply stated, Russell was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Russell leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Russell B. Adkins.