James "Jim" Earl Adkins Sr.

James “Jim” Earl Adkins, 77, of Brooksville, Florida passed away Friday, July 17, 2026 surrounded by the love of the family he cherished, leaving behind a legacy as deep and enduring as the roots he planted over his 77 years.

Jim was born July 7, 1949 and grew up in the small town of Branchland, West Virginia. He went to school in a one-room schoolhouse and moved with his family to Brooksville when he was 10 years old. He was a graduate of Hernando High School class of 1967. As a high schooler, he was fueled by a passion for motorcycles and fast muscle cars knowing that financing his high-octane dreams required relentless hard work. Jim always enjoyed a challenge and could fix anything be it a car, tractor, mower, or something most people would call junk!

He went on to graduate from Nashville Auto Diesel College and as a man of service and conviction, Jim proudly served in the United States Air Force. He loved life on his farm, operating the Adkins Hay Farm & Cattle Ranch from the 1970s through 2016.

He served a lifetime of service, stewardship, and deep connection to the community of Hernando County. Jim led the Brooksville Fire Department with distinction. In 1973 he began as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Brooksville and worked his way up the ranks to become the Fire Chief from 1985-1998. During those years he received his Law Enforcement Certification, Smoke Diver Certification, and became a certificated EMT.

Jim returned to his farm in 1998, but he wasn’t through with public service. In 2008 he was elected to the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners to be the people’s commissioner. He kept his promise and worked hard for the people of Hernando for eight years before retiring.

On October 21, 2000, Jim married his dear friend Clara, and they began their loving life together on the farm, building a lifetime of beautiful memories. Jim taught Clara how to kick hay bales and how to drive the tractor. He even bought her an air-conditioned tractor so she could mow in comfort! That’s the kind of man he was, always thinking of others.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Doyle Adkins. He is survived by his beloved wife, Clara; his daughter, Robin Barrett; his son, James “Jamie” E. Adkins Jr. (Jessica); stepson, Frank Phillips Jr. (BJ); his mother and stepfather, Imogene & Ralph Barnhart; sisters, Juanita Daugherty (James) and Judy Adkins; grandchildren, James Adkins III, Madison Barrett, and Taylor Barrett; three nephews and one niece; and his loving pets, Marshal Dillon “The Pug”, Ranger Walker “The Frenchie”, and Clyde “The Donkey.”

Some heroes wear blue jeans and drive tractors! Instead of formal attire, the family requests that you wear your favorite blue jeans to celebrate Jim’s life.

The pallbearers for Jim will be: Retired Chief James Daugherty, Chief Tim Mosgrove, Stan Mettinger, Michael Dow, James Earl Adkins III, and Frank Phillips Sr..

A Visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30-11:30am, Monday, July 27, 2026 at Merritt Funeral Home Brooksville (2 South Lemon Avenue, Brooksville, FL 34601), where a Celebration of Life begins at 11:30am.

A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery (6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513) at 1:30pm.t