Jerry William Atkins

Jerry Atkins

1943 – 2020

Jerry William Atkins, age 77, of Lumberton, TX, passed away on July 3, 2020. He was born in Beaumont, TX on May 23, 1943 to Earl Cornelius and Revon Marie Page Atkins.

The epitome of living life to the fullest, Jerry was the life of the party. A natural storyteller, his mischievous, fun-loving, and engaging aura made the stories of his childhood, friendships, and many endeavors both legendary and hilarious. There was never a time that he or his friends were at a loss for ways to entertain themselves, and if the party was not lively enough, he would find an outlandish way to stimulate things: once riding his horse into the pool hall. Jerry was the toughest man you would have ever met in your life. He was a man’s man, and no one doubted it. The displays of his innate burliness and vigor were truly unbelievable unless you were there as a witness. A lifelong truckdriver, this took him on the road most of his life. In his youth, he played semi-pro football for a time. Billiards had a special place in his heart, and comparing him to Minnesota Fats, a famous Billiards legend that he admired and had the privilege of meeting, was fitting due to Fat’s skill level and his reputation for being a showman. After meeting a special young lady, Sandra, at a local dance, he married the love of his life on December 16, 1961. Their love produced two daughters and three sons. Jerry loved introducing his three boys to the rodeo, as he himself was an active bull rider and cowboy. The Saturday rodeo was their family time, and with his sons, he mentored them from The Little Britches to PRCA. Jerry instilled in all his children a love of trail riding, horse riding, and to never give up in any endeavor. An avid BBQ Pitmaster, he loved to barbecue and did it well. For those that knew him, the word quit did not exist in his mind, and he never backed down from a challenge, no matter how many that he faced. Through cancer and abundant medical issues, he never failed to give God the glory for bringing him through. Jerry knew and loved the Lord. There is no doubt on the evening of his passing that as he closed his mortal eyes and took his last breath, Jesus took him in his arms and welcomed him to his eternal home in heaven. The mark he left on those he knew or met will never be forgotten, and the dear love he shared with his family and friends will forever remain in their hearts.

Left to honor his memory is his loving wife of 58 years, Sandra Lee Falcon Atkins; sons, Todd Atkins and wife, Missy Mazzola, of Kountze, Jerry Don Atkins and wife, Julie Landry, of Lumberton, and Chad Atkins and wife, Renae Nash, of Lumberton; daughters, Tammy Hanks and husband, Ronald, of Vidor and Angela Dieckman and husband, Tommy, of Houston; grandchildren, Bucky Hanks and wife, Melissa, Lisa Stevens and husband, TJ, Reva Venable and husband, Josh, Cody Atkins, Caleb Atkins, Shelby Atkins, Krystal Lane, Meara Lane, Alyssa Lane, and Levi Atkins; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and loved ones.

Preceding Jerry in death are his parents; brother, Albert Earl Atkins; and grandson, Cade Atkins.

Visitation with family and friends will be on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at Lumberton Family Funeral Home, 766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX. Jerry’s life honoring funeral service will be Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Parkway Life Church, 1865 FM 3513, Lumberton, TX, with Pastor Nathan Keating officiating and burial to follow at Leatherwood Cemetery, Loeb, TX.

On behalf of the family, many thanks to all for your prayers for Jerry during his illness, and the kind words and continued prayers since Jesus called him home. A very special thank you to Dr. Michael Oszczakiewicz for the great care and friendship you have shown Jerry over the years, as it meant the world to him and his family, and he had no shortage of immense love and respect for his dear friend and doctor.

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