David McLeod Adkins passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2011, surrounded by his family after a courageous three year battle with cancer. David was born on October 26, 1946, in Mobile, Alabama. David graduated from Murphy High School in 1964. He went on to The University of Alabama, joined ROTC, was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and competed as a champion on the track team where he earned a scholarship. David won the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championship in the 440 yard dash in 1966 and 1967, and the Indoor Championship in the 440 yard dash in 1967. David finished his collegiate career with a Southeastern Conference Championship in the 440 yard hurdles in 1968 and was an All American. At the time he held the SEC record in both the 440 yard dash and the 440 yard hurdles. David graduated from the University of Alabama in 1968 with a degree in Business Administration. After college, David fulfilled his ROTC commitment as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army where he served our county in Vietnam. He then ran for the All-Army Track Team traveling the world representing our Country athletically. David was asked to train and compete with the USA Track Team and was training for the Olympics, but he was injured in his final race before qualifying. David then became a graduate assistant and later an Assistant Track Coach at the University of Florida where he met his beloved wife Mercedes. At Florida, David earned a second degree in Communications and Journalism. David worked in real estate for most of his professional life, first working for Roberts Brothers in Mobile. David fulfilled a lifelong dream by moving to Orange Beach, Alabama in 1998. He was honored and proud to be part of the Brett Robinson extended family. David loved selling real estate and by working at Brett Robinson he could sell his dream. Family was the foundation of David’s life. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. A. Carl Adkins and his mother Ethel McLeod Adkins. He is survived by his wife of thirty-four years, Mercedes Adkins, his daughter Allison Adkins Lott (Frank), his two grandsons Frank J. Lott, IV and David A. Lott, and his sister Judy A. Harvill (Randy). He is also survived by his niece Katie Harvill (Steve Goodman), and his nephews Judd Harvill (Ashley) and Peyton Harvill (Perry). Spending time with family was most important to David. He enjoyed being on the water, especially in his kayak where he would disappear for hours to relax. He loved, was loved, and will be missed. A service to celebrate David’s life will be held at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 31, 2011, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests for memorials to be made to Dauphin Way United Methodist Church 1507 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36604. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606.
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