Basil Eric Atkinson Jr., M.D.

He was born August 28, 1926 to B. E. Atkinson and Mable Atkinson in Lufkin. Dr. Atkinson went on to live a long and remarkable life.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and served on the Marine Phoenix, a vessel used to transport troops to Japan and Southeast Asia. He later eloped with his bride, Frances Hall, to Oklahoma on June 22, 1950.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army in 1944, he attended medical school at Southwestern Medical School of the University of Texas in Dallas and later moved home to Lufkin to practice medicine as a General Practitioner. “The Doctor” became a fixture in the community, making house calls and treating local patients throughout the late 1950’s and 1960’s. In 1965, Dr. Atkinson went to work for his family’s business, Atkinson Candy Company, helping his parents and brother grow the business in the 70’s and 80’s. In 1983, he and his children purchased Judson-Atkinson Candies in San Antonio, where he worked until its closure in 2011.

Dr. Atkinson had an incredible work ethic that earned him achievements and accolades in all of his professions. He won the Doc Reed Silver Candy Dish Award in 2010, was inducted to the Candy Hall of Fame in 2011, held a co-patent with Mobil Oil for packaging technologies, hosted the first Republican Primary in Angelina County (in his garage), and served as a Lufkin City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tempore.

He was a world traveler, frequenting his beloved Paris and other destinations abroad, usually with his wife Frances and grandkids in tow. He enjoyed horseback riding, fast cars and cocktails.

Dr. Atkinson is survived by his children, Dennis Atkinson, Rinda and husband Ken Miller of San Antonio, Eric Atkinson and wife Darlene Atkinson of Lufkin, and Amy Atkinson of San Antonio; grandchildren, Shellie and husband Scott Davis of Lufkin, Jeremy and wife Erin Jones of Hondo, Joshua and wife April Jones of Kerrville, Sarah and husband Remington Tonar of Houston, Laurence and wife Poy Love of Austin, Valerie Voltz of San Antonio, Stephanie Voltz of San Antonio, Rachel and husband Justin Stone of Las Vegas, Nevada, Austin Atkinson of Houston, and Basil Eric Atkinson IV of Lufkin; great-grandchildren, Kaegan Jones; Claire, Luke and Cody Jones, Michael and Ryan Davis, Lanna and Dara Love.

Dr. Atkinson was preceded in death by his parents, Basil Eric Atkinson Sr. and Mable Atkinson; his wife, Frances Hall Atkinson; mother-in-law, Ida Perry Hall; his brother, Joseph Franklin Atkinson; and his nephew, Carroll Atkinson.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p. m. Thursday, December 22, 2016 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Brian Wiggins officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dr. Atkinson's life. Flowers and condolences can be sent Gipson Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.