Cover photo for Jerry Don Akins's Obituary
1939 Jerry 2022

Jerry Don Akins

April 14, 1939 — October 30, 2022

Jerry Don Akins was born on April 14, 1939, on a cotton farm in Hopkins County in East Texas. Named after his maternal grandfather Jeremiah ("Jerry") Lamar Laffew, he was the third of four children, and the only son born to William Clyde ("Clyde") and Mossie Ila Laffew Akins.

When Jerry was still young, the family moved to a nearby farm and began in the dairy business. When he was old enough, Jerry helped with milking chores as well as baling and hauling hay for the cows--hard work, at that time mostly performed with work horses. The work ethic he learned during those early years stood him well for his entire life.

Life was not all work, though. When he was still quite young, he made pets of some of their chickens and even a squirrel. His constant playmate was sister Delonia. As he got older, he loved to ride horses with his friend and neighbor L J Massey. And, of course, he started playing baseball and basketball, which became lifelong passions for him. He might have played football, too, since the neighboring Sulphur Springs High School coach came to visit his dad one day, trying to persuade him to let Jerry transfer to Sulphur Springs High to play on their football team. However, Jerry's dad was not in favor of Jerry's playing, his comment was "Do you really want to get your teeth knocked out!"-and so Jerry passed up that opportunity!

Jerry went to two small country schools for most of his school years but attended 8th grade and then high school in the little town of Sulphur Bluff. At Sulphur Bluff High School, he had only 15 in his 1957 graduating class-of which four boys had the first name "Jerry"! Thus, he continued to be known as "Jerry Don" to his family and friends for many years although at school he sometimes went by the nickname "Chief." His senior year he was captain of the boys' basketball team, president of FFA ("Future Farmers of America"), and the business manager for the yearbook. He was also voted "Best All Around" that year.

In addition to an emphasis on family, work, and school in Jerry's home, faith in God was very important. Jerry recalled on Sunday mornings the family would put on their Sunday best and walk to their local church in Nelta. At a young age Jerry became a Christian, and all his long life he sought to live in such a way that Christ would be honored.

After graduation, Jerry moved to Lubbock, first living with older sister Fay and husband Tommy Todd. That fall Jerry enrolled in Texas Tech, which he attended for about three years. He also worked loading and driving milk trucks for Bell Dairy. One day while delivering milk to a local ice cream shop, he met a beautiful young lady working there named Sharon Cozby. They began dating and on August 4, 1962, were married in her mother's backyard in Lubbock.

In 1964 Jerry was hired by American Beauty Pasta as a sales representative, thus beginning a more than 50-year career in the grocery sales business.

Sharon and Jerry continued living in Lubbock until Jerry was transferred to Albuquerque in 1968. The following year, on July 22, Sharon and Jerry welcomed their only child, William James ("Jim") Akins, into their lives.

In 1977 Jerry went to work for Pillsbury as a sales representative. He continued there until he was hired by Barnett Brothers Brokerage Company in 1982, which later transitioned to Acosta Sales and Marketing. He finally retired from Acosta (for a 2nd time!) in early 2020! During the years he worked in grocery sales he especially loved the personal relationships he developed in the many small, independent grocery stores he served in New Mexico as well as in some neighboring states. His relationships often included getting to know the grocers' families as well. He also formed lasting friendships with many of his fellow work associates.

During Jim's years growing up, Jerry was actively involved in his son's activities, especially his basketball and baseball teams. Although he often had to travel much of the work week (which added up to 40,000 or more miles a year!), Jerry always tried to be home as much as possible. For several years, he also refereed basketball and umpired baseball games.

The 2000's brought tragedy to Jerry's life: on May 10, 2005, wife Sharon died after a long battle with cancer. Then a little over ten years later--on October 30, 2015-son Jim died.

Although nothing could offset these sad events, the birth in 2006 of his first-and only-grandchild, also named Jerry Don Akins (but called "JD"), was a joyous event. JD truly became the light of Jerry's life, and as JD grew older, Jerry

enjoyed going to many of his grandson's school events and baseball games just as long as physically able.

After Jerry turned 80, though, frequent falls and the resulting injuries (as well as other health issues) necessitated his moving into an assisted-living home in November 2020. He resided there until his death on Sunday, October 30th, 2022-exactly seven years to the day after son Jim had died. A special thanks goes out to the staff at Vista Sandia for their loving care they gave Jerry over these past two years.

In addition to wife Sharon and son Jim, Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Mossie and sisters Clyda Key and Fay Todd.

Jerry is survived by grandson JD, Albuquerque; sister Delonia Mullins and husband Ken, Dennison, TX; brothers-in-law Bruce Key, Midland, TX, and Tommy Todd, Dennison, TX; his former daughter-in-law Jennifer Akins, Albuquerque; sweetheart Dorothy Rolfs, Albuquerque; special friends Manuel Hinojos, Santa Fe, and Tommy Biles, Albuquerque; and many other relatives and friends.

Cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Service for Jerry will be Friday, November 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Hoffmantown Church, 8888 Harper Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, with Rob Mahon officiating. Those wishing to give a memorial in Jerry's honor may do so to the Muscular Dystrophy Association http://mda.donordrive.com a charity supported by Jerry and his Acosta associates for years--or to another charity of one's choosing.

Jerry dearly loved his Lord, his family and friends, and his work. He also loved country western music, biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak, anything chocolate, Texas Tech sports, the Dallas Cowboys, and-especially--sweet tea!

To send flowers to the family in memory of Jerry Don Akins, please visit our flower store.

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Friday, November 18, 2022

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