Atkins

Hermon Herbert (Pappy) Atkins, 84, of Thorndale died at his home on June 13, 2020.

Funeral and graveside services were held Saturday, June 20, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Mr. Atkins was born in Madison, Florida, on Sept. 7, 1935, to Thomas Jefferson and Fairrie Mae (Simmons) Atkins.

In high school, he played the saxophone and drove semitrucks with his father.

Mr. Atkins was a decorated war veteran of 20 years, stationed overseas in Ethiopia, Japan, Philippines and numerous stateside bases. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

While in uniform, he met the love of his life. He heard a voice from above say, “Hermon Herbert that’s the woman you are going to marry!” Married in Piper City, Illinois, he and Betty Joan Perkins were together for 65 years.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Atkins was an office equipment repairman, semitruck driver, utility plant operator, and farm hand.

He sang tenor, enjoyed square dancing, playing the harmonica, fishing, hunting, and flying. He loved Little Debbie snacks, Circus Peanuts, Twizzlers, Coca-Cola, jigsaw puzzles and trains.

Mr. Atkins was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Calvin Simons, Emar Cantrell and Adetha Kern.

Survivors are his wife, Betty, and five children, Carl Atkins and wife Betty, Ernie Atkins and wife Susan, Al Atkins, Curtis Atkins and wife Daphene, Lisa Heck and husband Mitchell; also, 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were John Atkins, Joel Atkins, Levi Atkins, Isaac Atkins, Nathan Atkins, Lorenzo Llana, Josh Powell and Gordon Dickerson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, www.stpaulthorndale.com.