It is with great sadness the family of David F. Adkins announce his passing on December 17, 2024 in Seffner Florida at the age of 77 years.
He was born on September 3, 1947, in Canton, Ohio to Janet and Erna Adkins, who preceded him in death.
After graduating from high school David enlisted into the U.S. Army, graduating as an Honor Graduate of class 39 of the 45th Company, 4th Battalion, 173rd Airborne, in 1967. He was deployed to Viet Nam where he volunteered for multiple tours from Spring 1967 until September 1969. During his deployment in Viet Nam, David was awarded a Silver Star for Gallantry, Two Purple Hearts, Two Bronze Stars and the Viet Nam Service Medal.
Upon returning home and being discharged from the Army, David decided he wanted a life of government service. He applied to the U.S. Treasury Department and became one of the first Sky Marshals flying in commercial aircraft to prevent aircraft hijackings. In 1971, when the Sky Marshal program ended, David began working at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago as a U.S. Customs Security Officer, where he met his wife, Wendy.
In 1973 David moved to Des Moines Iowa and continued his career with the U.S. government becoming a Deputy U.S. Marshal. He also became a member of the Iowa Army National Guard. He continued working as a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the rest of his career which spanned over 30 years. He transferred to Jacksonville Florida in 1978, where he also enlisted in the Florida National Guard, and finally to the Middle District of Florida in Tampa in 1982. David retired from the Marshal’s Service in 2004 where he was honored as the first recipient of the David Adkins employee of the year award for service for the U.S. Middle District of Florida.
David continued to work at the Tampa Federal Courthouse as a Court Security Officer until 2014 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. True to his determination to fight through the disease, David had a successful bone marrow transplant and survived for 10 more years.
David leaves behind his wife Wendy Adkins of 50 years, son Matthew Adkins and wife Vickie of New Port Richey, and his two grandchildren Sophia and Ethan, who gave him great joy in everything they did. He also leaves behind his sister Sheila Burks (Jerry) of Richmond, Indiana and brother-in-law David Simmons (Terri) of Holiday, Florida.
A Memorial Service will be held for David on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at Southern Funeral Care,10510 Riverview Drive, Riverview, Fl. 33578. A reception will be held at the family home following the service at 3:00 P.M. at 3108 Indigo Place, Seffner, Fl. 33584.
David will be buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. Those who wish to attend are most welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, in his name.
www.woundedwarrierproject.org.
Previous Events
Celebration of Life Service
14
Jan
10510 Riverview Drive
Riverview, FL 33578
Graveside
15
Jan
6502 S.W. 102nd Avenue
Bushnell, FL 33513
