Obituary

Ralph Gordon Adkins
(May 29, 1936 - January 5, 2018)

RALPH GORDON ADKINS, 81, of Huntington, W.Va., passed January 5, 2018, in St. Mary’s Hospital, after a battle with cancer.  Ralph was born May 29, 1936 in Huntington, son of Jefferson Davis Adkins and Garnet Mae Adkins.  He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann Deering Adkins; his daughter Diana Springer and husband Mark, granddaughter Emily Hagan and husband Patrick; grandson Eric Springer and wife Amanda; and great-grandson Holden.  Also surviving are his sister Mildred Hazelett and his brother William Blair Adkins.  Ralph graduated from Huntington East High Trade School as a machinist and years later became the Maintenance Superintendent for Steel of West Virginia.  During his life, he owned motorcycles and would sometimes take long rides, mixed with camping.  He earned his pilot’s license, enjoyed flying, and became a member of a group that owned their own plane.  He was a member of Ceredo Crescent Masonic Lodge #33.  He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Huntington, serving as Elder and volunteering in many different areas such as Charlie’s Boys, Work Camps, Dunlow Chapel, and Habitat for Humanity.  Klingel-Carpenter is in charge of arrangements. Interment at Ridgelawn Mausoleum was completed Saturday.  A memorial service will be held 3 p.m.  Sunday, January 7 at First Presbyterian Church, 1015  Fifth Avenue, Huntington, Rev. Skip Siebel officiating. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until service time and a reception afterward.