Retired Col. Thomas J. Adkins passed away July 8.

Tom was born in Corbin, Ky., in 1932.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Fanny Adkins, son John Scott, grandson John. Jr., and his brother Bill.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Vermillion Adkins, and sons Tommy (Cheryl) of Lexington Ky., Jimmy (Kendra) of Longwood, Fla., and Charley (Lisa) of Knoxville. He has seven grandchildren, Brooklyne, Rachelle, Caro Lynn, Charles, Kylie, James Keith, and Andrea; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Peggy Lyons McNabb (Robert).

Tom is a member of the Corbin Kentucky High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He is a former University of Kentucky football player coached by the late Paul “Bear” Bryant. He was a member of Kentucky’s 1950 Orange Bowl Team and the co-captain of the 1952 Cotton Bowl Team. He was selected to the All SEC football team. [Read more…]