James R. Atkins Sr.

James R. Atkins, 81, Kokomo, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at The Legacy at Waterford Place Nursing Home. He was born May 5, 1936 in Kokomo, Indiana to the late Samuel and Alice (Dyer) Atkins. James retired from PPG Industries after 35 years and attended MT. Olive Missionary Baptist. He loved his family most of all and enjoyed watching basketball, horse races, old Westerns and cracking jokes. Surviving are two sons and daughter in laws, James R. Atkins Jr. (Lorilie) and Joe Dean Atkins (Robin Townsend); and two daughters and son in laws, Mary Nell Dunivan (Michael) and Melinda Sue Townsend (Don); sister Linda Jones; brothers Gary and Leroy Atkins and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Carolyn Atkins, Barbara Jean Taskey and Mary Lou Cunningham; four brothers, Walter Atkins, Carl Atkins, Samuel Atkins Jr., and Richard Wayne Atkins; and one son Gregory “Scott” Atkins. A Funeral Service for James will be at Ellers Mortuary Main Street Chapel Monday, March 12, 2018 at 1:30pm with Pastor Doyle Buckner officiating. Visiting hours are prior from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Burial will follow at Crown Point Cemetery. You may go to www.ellersmortuarywebsterstreet.com to sign the guest book or to leave a condolence for the family.