Thomas Richard Adkins

Thomas “Richard” Adkins, 79  years of age, and a resident of South Amherst, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2021, at his home following a  lengthy battle with cancer.

Richard was born January 23, 1942, in Accoville, West Virginia where he was raised until moving to South Amherst in 1970.  

Richard served his country in the United States Marine Corp.  He was a welder in the maintenance department of the Ford Motor Company in Brookpark for 32 years before retiring in 2000.  He attended Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Amherst.  Richard was a forty six year member of the Oberlin Royal Arch Chapter of the Masonic Order, as well as the former El Rey Grotto.  He loved anything and everything that involved being with his family, especially his grandchildren’s events.

His memory will be cherished by his wife of fifty-eight years, Shirley Sue Adkins (nee: Johnston); his children, Patricia (Jim) Taddeo and Keith (Julie) Adkins, both of Amherst; his daughter-in-law, Sherry Adkins of Mt. Washington, KY; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; his sisters, Drema (Eddie) Kilgore of Auburn, WV, and Vickie (John) Peck of Cleveland.

Richard was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas in 1963; his son, Gary in 2009; his siblings, Gary Adkins, Jackie Adkins, Claudetta Spires; and his parents, Claude and Helen Adkins (nee: Canterbury).

Public visitation for family and friends will be held at Hempel Funeral Home on Monday in the afternoon and evening by reservation at https://signup.com/go/aUMdAuf or by phoning the funeral home at 440-988-4451 during business hours of 9-5.  Services will be held Tuesday morning at the funeral home, again by reservation at https://signup.com/go/aUMdAuf .  Military honors will be performed by the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard.   Rebroadcasting of services will be available at http://www.hempelfuneralhome.com/ . The Rev. Scott Mitchell, pastor of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church will officiate.  Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, South Amherst.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Oberlin Masonic Lodge, PO Box 575, Oberlin, OH 44074.

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, http://www.hempelfuneralhome.com/.

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