ADKINS, Samuel Kiah 82, Samuel "Sam" K. Adkins was born in Wayne, West Virginia (W.Va.) on the 7th of August 1935. With a peaceful smile, he walked through the gates of Heaven on Monday, the 22nd of January 2018. Sam was a devout Christian and his life was blessed with an abundance of love, happiness and success. He married the woman of his dreams, Jeri Childers, from a blind date at the tender age of 19 and remained a loving and devoted husband for 63 years. He was the father of four children, a grandfather to seven children and the great-grandfather of four children. Sam was the son of Everett and Jess Adkins. He spent his formative years in Bellfontaine, Ohio. He graduated from Ironton High School, Ironton Ohio, and served in the United States Army for two years. Sam and his Army buddies had a bet to see who could leave with the lowest rank, he lost. He attended Ohio University and graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, W. VA. Sam's career spanned some 43 years primarily in newspaper advertising. He took great pride in the fact that his work in advertising provided the financial backbone to our cherished democracy and thereby advanced freedom of the press for all who reside in this great country. He started with classified sales at the Herald Dispatch in Huntington W. VA. He moved the family to Ocala, Florida where he worked a couple of years for the Star Banner. Then on to Orlando, Florida for some 22 years as the retail advertising manager of the Orlando Sentinel and another five years as the publisher of the Orlando Business Journal. His last move was to Tucson where he completed his career as the retail advertising manager for the Arizona Daily Star/Tucson Citizen. Sam spent 28 years in Tucson and apparently lost his flair for southern cuisine. Just last Sunday, his son fixed a fine "mess" of collard greens that, upon tasting, brought out facial contortions reminiscent of Sam's formative years. He was an avid sports fan and a staunch supporter of Tucson's own Arizona Wildcats. After tense Wildcat games, loved ones would always call to confirm his blood pressure was back to normal. Sam was also an accomplished artist and several of his paintings decorate the walls of his children and loved ones. He practiced many hours on both the piano and guitar, thus confirming the patient love of his wife Jeri. Sam's intellect stayed with him throughout his life and was only exceeded by his playful sense of humor. His laugh, like his life, was rich and full. Truly it is the memory of that laugh, his smile and humor that will be paramount to overcoming the overwhelming loss that we, his family and friends, all now feel. He will be missed by many and remembered lovingly by all who knew him. Sam would tell us all today, "don't cry because I'm gone, have a celebration, do your best, love often and keep smiling. Love you forever!" In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 East Fort Lowell Road, Tucson, AZ 85719. Mother: Jess Adkins Father: Everett Adkins Sisters: Sharon, Gae Wife: Jeri Children: Mark, Jeff, Chris and Beth Grandchildren: Aleah, Steve, Teddy, Aleah, Danny, Levi and Amanda Great-Grandchildren: Lily, Natalie, Isabella, Sadie. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.
Published in the Arizona Daily Star on Jan. 28, 2018