Laurence B. Adkins

Laurence Brannan Adkins, 79, of Hot Springs, passed away Saturday, October 25th, 2014. Laurence was born January 10, 1935, and was a lifelong resident of Hot Springs, as well as a life member of First United Methodist Church. He was the youngest son born to the late Brown and Juanita Adkins, the owners and operators of the Public Drug Store on Park Avenue for sixty years. Laurence and his siblings enjoyed growing up in the Park Avenue Historic District and have all lived in Hot Springs the majority of their lives.

Laurence graduated in 1953 from Hot Springs High School. He attended Henderson State University and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He served two years in the United States Army. He worked with his father at the Public Drug Store until his father’s death in 1977. He later became a Deputy Assessor with the late John Robbins, and was elected County Assessor in 1988. He held this office until the end of his term in 1999. Afterwards, he wished to continue his public service, and was elected Justice of the Peace for District 1 in Garland County, serving 10 years. Laurence was extremely proud to serve the people of Garland County. After retirement from “county business,” he became a Red Coat for Oaklawn Racetrack. He dearly loved being with the public and was affectionately known as “Mr. Oaklawn” to the many folks he met from all over Arkansas and neighboring states.

Laurence was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Brown Adkins Jr., and his brother-in-law Curtis Larry Ridgway. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Joan Hill Adkins, two daughters, Lauren Adkins and D’Layne Adkins (Steve) Radke, and granddaughter Eleanor Radke all of Washington, D.C. Survivors also include two sisters, Nita Clare Ridgway and Magnolia (Dan) Hamby, four nieces; Maggie Hamby and Nita Kay Ridgway Mitchell of Hot Springs, and Angela Adkins and Mary (Wendell) Dryden of Texas. He is also survived by five nephews; Daniel Banks Hamby III, Scott (Andrea) Hamby, Stephen Ridgway, Curtis (Sharon) Ridgway III, all of Hot Springs, and Brown (Barbara) Adkins III of Richardson, Texas. Extended family members include Stacy, Brad, Allison, and John Hudgens and Shannon, Bill, Alec and Adrian Ahlbrandt.

Laurence will be remembered by family and friends as a true southern gentleman, for his love of life, his warm and friendly ways, and his larger than life personality. He was an avid bridge player, enjoyed playing cards with his siblings, and also looked forward to his Tuesday Bridge Group. Laurence had a passion for sports and enjoyed supporting the Arkansas Razorbacks, Dallas Cowboys, and St. Louis Cardinals. He also volunteered tirelessly for the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

Pallbearers are his nephews: Daniel Banks Hamby III, Scott Edward Hamby, Curtis Lawrence Ridgway III, Stephen Adkins Ridgway, and Ancil Brown Adkins III.

Honorary Pallbearers are Daniel Banks Hamby II, Stanley Dodd, Bill Creason, Kenneth Johnson, Mike Callahan, Buddy Brooks, Bruce Garnett, Lou Siegel, and the Redcoats of Oaklawn.

Gratitude is extended to Laurence’s physicians and caregivers; Dr Patrick Dolan, Dr. John Featherston, Dr. Robert Kleinhenz and Dr. Marty Koehn. A special thanks for the loving care shown to Laurence, during his extended illness, by the staff of The Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Arkansas Hospice, and to the Stephens Ministry and Intercessory Prayer Team of FUMC.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 28th, 2014 at Gross Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 29th, in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. A family burial will follow at Crestview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Guests may register at www.grossfuneralhome.com