Gary Don Atkins

Gary Don Atkins, age 72, a resident of Foley, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022. Gary was born to J.C. “Buck” Atkins and Mildred Ruth Atkins on March 8, 1950, in Hollywood, Florida. He was a 1969 graduate of Gadsden High School and attended Gadsden State Community College. Gary worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Union City, TN for 5 years before transferring back home to Goodyear-Gadsden. He worked as an Area Manager in Shipping and Final Finish until he retired in September of 2004 with 30 years of service with the company. He was very proud and dedicated to his career with Goodyear. When Gary was not working, he loved to spend his time on the water bass and crappie fishing or manicuring his lawn. He loved the water and he and Peggy spent the last 9 years on the coast in the sunshine and salty air. He was most proud of his children and grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to share their pictures and accomplishments with anyone he met. He never ended a visit, phone call, or text without telling them he loved them and to be careful. He was preceded in death by his father, J.C. "Buck" Atkins; brother, Gerald "Mike" Atkins; sister-in-law, Rhonda Morgan Atkins, and niece, Kristie Michelle Nunnally. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Peggy Lee Atkins; mother, Mildred Ruth Atkins; son, James (Lori) Atkins, Shawnee, Kansas; daughters, Paige Atkins Brown (Jay Amos), Glencoe, Holly Isbell Moman, Tuscaloosa, and Heather (Todd) Haynie, Southside; Grandchildren, Jake and Nate Atkins, Ava Harrington, Shawnee, Kansas, Baylor Langdale, Glencoe, Cole Moman, Tuscaloosa, Brady Moman, Glencoe, Luke Haynie, Southside, AL; brother, Jack (Glenda) Atkins; sister, Sondra (Larry) Nunnally; brother-in-law, Fred (Alice) Abel and Calvin Bishop; nephews, Kevin (Marianne) Nunnally, Jarron Atkins, Gadsden; nieces, Brandi (Scott) Benefield (Ider), Amy Stephens (Mississippi) and Christian Atkins (Arizona). Numerous great nephews and nieces. Special friends Robert (Brother) and Judy Henson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gary’s honor to the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation’s AUTLIVE, Auburn Basketball’s Fight Against Cancer Campaign, 2415 Moore’s Mill Road, Suite 265, Box# 173, Auburn, AL 36830 (https://brucepearlfamilyfoundation.com/) or to Project Sweet Peas, Attn: Corin Nava, 45 Boylston Street, Warwick, RI 02889 (https://www.projectsweetpeas.com/ ). A private gathering will be held at a later date in Gadsden for close family and friends. The family wishes to thank everyone who has been so supportive during this most difficult time. He was loved and your love and support are a testament to just how much.