Eugene S. Adkins

Eugene S. Adkins Eugene S. Adkins was born August 17, 1918 to Doyle and Sidney Adkins in Chester, Arkansas. He graduated from Fayetteville (Arkansas) High School in 1936 and studied electrical engineering at the University of Arkansas. He applied his knowledge to the area of communications in the Signal Corps during his Army career in which he served over 26 years, first as an enlisted man and later as an officer, achieving the rank of Major. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. During his career he spent time in Okinawa, the Philippines and Taiwan as well as Ft. Churchill, Canada; White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; and Ft. Bliss, Texas. He earned numerous medals and citations for his service. He traveled so extensively across the United States and Canada during the 1950's that he earned one of the first "frequent flyer" awards given by United Airlines for 100,000 miles, an unusual accomplishment at that time. He retired in 1966 and returned to EI Paso, Texas where he took his love of fixing up cars and opened a salvage yard/ mechanic and body shop. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Trail Dusters Square Dance group. As his friends knew him, Gene loved being with people and making them smile. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, dogs, feeding the birds, and taking care of his yard. He enjoyed carpentry and working with his hands. Gene died quietly in the presence of family Wednesday morning, October 24, 2007 at the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home where he had been a resident for about a year. He was preceded in death by Marvin Adkins (his twin brother), his parents, and his wife Marian. He is survived by his daughter Ruby Johnson of Ruidoso, NM and her husband Don; his granddaughter Cindy Dunlap and grandson Scott Sanders; and great-grandchildren: Dacey and Chantry Dunlap and Dusty, Rusty and Amanda Sanders. He also is survived by his daughter Jeanne Wagner of EI Paso, TX and her husband David and his grandson Stephen Wagner and his wife Kelly. Gene was very much loved and will be greatly missed. A viewing will be held 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. Sunday, October 28 at the Sunset Funeral Home, 750 N. Carolina. A graveside service will be held Monday, October 29 at 10 AM. at the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-East.