James Lewis Adkins

James (Jim) Lewis Adkins, a highly decorated US Air Force veteran and longtime resident of Yorktown and Chatham, Virginia, passed peacefully at the age of 91 at his home October 21, 2024 with his family by his side.
He was born February 1, 1933 in Sandy Level, Virginia to the late Oscar B. and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Adkins. “Freet Baby” was the nickname his family gave him as his older brother couldn’t pronounce “sweet baby.” Jim was one of seven children. He was predeceased by his wife Harriet Anna Smith.

Jim was raised on a tobacco farm in Museville, Virginia, graduated in 1951 from Callands High School and played semi-pro baseball for Glade Hill and Rocky Mount. He joined the Air Force and served as a rated navigator, pilot, and career officer from 1953-1973, earning the rank of Major. After completing pilot training, he flew B-47 bombers, C-124 cargo planes and CH-53 helicopters. He completed his bachelor’s degree of education at the University of Omaha.

Jim served his tour of duty during the Vietnam War at Nakhon Phanom, Royal Thai Air Force Base in the early 70’s flying combat missions with the 21st Special Operations Squadron in CH-53 helicopters while serving as a flight commander and instructor pilot. He was awarded three Air Medals “for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight” and three Distinguished Flying Crosses “for heroism while participating in aerial flight,” during his tour. Upon leaving the Air Force, Jim became a contract pilot out of NASA Langley flying Gulfstream jets for NASA executives. Jim amassed an impressive 15,000 flight hours from 1953 to 1995.

As a navigator in the beginning of his Air Force career, he used a handheld sexton requiring him to commit to memory every constellation in each hemisphere. He escaped death multiple times including almost drowning in the Pigg River at the age of 6, walking away from a plane crash which killed two co-pilots, while flying reconnaissance missions during the Vietnam War, among others. Jim and his family were stationed all over the world, but he could be heard saying, “Virginia was the most beautiful.”

Jim was a lefty, but golfed right-handed with an 11 handicap, played baseball right-handed, and wrote with his left. In addition to his penchant for entertaining his daughters’ friends with jokes, he often went on antique safaris, enjoying the thrill of the hunt. Jim’s door was always open to anyone who would join him for a martini at cocktail hour.

Jim was predeceased by his brothers Alvie Adkins (Dorothy), Calvin Adkins (Jean) and Bobby Adkins; sister Juanita Tuck (Buford); niece Reatha McCroskey (Allan); nephew Brad Hedrick; brother-in-law Frank Hedrick; brother-in law Darrell Jefferson and son-in-law Eddie Adams. Left to cherish his memory are his three daughters Alyssa Adams, Cindy Lou Jenks (Bill), Lori Adkins, his grandson August Adams (Megan); his sisters Faye Hedrick and Vickie Furrow (Benny) of Chatham, VA and sister-in-law Judy Adkins of Baltimore, MD.

There will be a memorial event in Yorktown, VA in February. Jim will be interred next to Harriet in Arlington National Cemetery, date to be determined. Family will receive friends at Freet’s Farm House in Museville, VA on Thanksgiving day from 3 to 6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate and write out your check to the National Park Service. Designate your contribution to the Thomas Nelson House Garden. Address envelope to the Colonial National Historic Park, Post Office Box 210, Yorktown, VA 23690.