James E. Adkins   

 

CATLETTSBURG - James E. Adkins, of Lexington, KY and a former Catlettsburg, KY resident, now rests peacefully in the arms of Jesus, following his passing, Tues. Feb. 22, 2005 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, KY. He was 85 years of age. Mr. Adkins was born Oct. 15, 1919 in Ashland, KY a son of the late Winwright J. and Ruth Whitt Adkins. At six years old his family moved to Catlettsburg, KY where he attended grade school and high school. Following high school he served as a 1st Lt. In the U.S. Army Honorably during WW II, receiving a Purple Heart for his efforts in the Battle of the Bulge and later he retired due to service connected injuries. He then graduated from the University of Kentucky Law School in 1947. Mr. Adkins established his own law firm, "James E. Adkins Law Firm" in 1948 at the old Gallup Field Building and retired in 2000 from practicing law. Mr. Adkins served as city attorney for the City of Catlettsburg for twenty years. He also did legal work to establish the flood wall, and for Kentucky Farmers Bank, Federal Land Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Veteran's Administration, Catlettsburg Federal Savings & Loan, and helped to establish the Grandview Manor and Forest Hills Housing Project for Catlettsburg. He served on committee to build annex to Boyd County Courthouse. Did title work for State of Kentucky to establish Route U.S. 23 and Route U.S. 60 through the City of Catlettsburg and also served as the Attorney for the Boyd County Board of Education. He was a member of the Catlettsburg Leadership Community Development Club, served on the Centennial and Sesquicentennial Committee, was a KY Colonel, Officer and Board Member at Kentucky Farmers Bank, a member of the Catlettsburg Cemetery Board and a member of the 1st United Methodist Church where he served on various committees. Mr. Adkins Loved his town, its people and his business. In addition to his father and mother he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen Ellsworth Adkins, by his step mother, Linna Spence Adkins, by a brother Emzie Adkins and two sisters, Ruth Ann Leatherman and Pauline Ross. Surviving are two sons; James E. Adkins II, his wife Georgene of Brandenton, FL and Don Adkins, his wife Virginia of Lexington, KY, a daughter; Gail Frickman, her husband Thomas of Taylor Mill, KY. He is also survived by, a brother Wallace Adkins of Lexington, KY, a sister Martha Guy of Catlettsburg, KY and five grandchildren; James P. Adkins, Kenneth Ryan Adkins, Megan Elizabeth Adkins, Laura Ellen Frickman and Alice Ruth Frickman. In remembrance of James Adkins, a funeral service will be held Sat., Feb. 26, 2005 11 am at the 1st United Methodist Church in Catlettsburg, KY. Words of comfort and hope offered by Rev. Farley Stuart. Mr. Adkins will be laid to rest beside his wife at Catlettsburg Cemetery following the services.

 

Published in the Lexington Herald-Leader on 2/24/2005.