John Coleman Atkins

John Atkins, 82, died Sept. 28, 2016, at The Fountainview Center for Alzheimer’s Disease in Atlanta, GA, after a valiant, five-year fight against dementia with Lewy bodies.
John was born March 3, 1934, in Carbon Hill, AL. The family later moved to Warner Robins, GA. After graduation, John joined the army and was stationed in Japan. In 1967, he moved to Denver, CO to attend trade school. He returned to GA and became well respected as a master gunsmith. He retired in 2010. John was generous with his time, regularly offering help to family and friends. He was an avid reader and also enjoyed gardening. He was always striving to grow the perfect tomato crop.
John was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Atkins; parents, Coleman and Mildred Beasley Atkins; stepfather, Ward Worley; and sister, Doris Atkins Studstill.
Survivors include wife, Beulah; son, Eric Karen Atkins, SR; daughter, Tamila John Grogan; grandson, Eric Kara Atkins, JR; granddaughter, Ila Creighton Calloway; great-grandsons, Asher, Avery, and Alex Atkins, and Collin Calloway; sister, Patricia Atkins Matthews; brother-in-law, Lamar Studstill; nephews, Lee Melinda Studstill and Cole Kim Studstill; and grandnieces, Anna Studstill and Summer Studstill.
Graveside service will be held at Magnolia Park Cemetery, Warner Robins, GA, on Sat., Oct. 22, at 2:00 p.m., with Ken Morgan of Warner Robins First UMC officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Assoc. at: lbda.org.
The Atkins family would like to thank the many special caregivers and other professionals at The Fountainview Center, Wesley Woods Center, and Crossroads Hospice, for their compassionate care during John’s illness.