1926
A.J.
2010
A.J. Atkins
June 12, 1926 — October 23, 2010
A.J. Martin Atkins, age 84, passed away Saturday, October 23, 2010 in his home in Charleston, SC.
Mr. Atkins was born in Selma on June 12, 1926. He attended Selma public schools, graduating from A.G. Parrish High School in 1944.
Upon graduation, he entered active Navy service as an Aviation Cadet, Class V-5. He was appointed to the U.S. Navel Academy by Congressman Sam Hobbs and graduated in 1949.
A 30 year Navy veteran, he served over 20 years in submarines and submarine related staff billets. He commanded the nuclear powered attack sub, USS Scamp and the Polaris missile submarine, USS Daniel Webster. He served as a submarine squadron commander in San Diego and as chief of staff to commander submarine force, US Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was a graduate of Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base and received a master���s degree from Auburn University.
His awards include Legion of Merit with gold star in lieu of second award, Meritorious Service Metal, Navy Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal and several campaign medals.
Retiring as a Navy Captain, he returned to Selma being active in civic affairs. He was a director of the United Way, a member of the Board of Directors of the Selma Country Club, a vestryman and warden of St. Pauls Episcopal Church and for six years president of the Sturdivant Museum Association.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Martha Kendrick Atkins. He is survived by two daughters; Adele Porter of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Caroline Forster of Rock Hill, SC, a son; Martin Atkins of San Diego, CA, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at St. Pauls Episcipal Church. Polk Van Zant will be officiating with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at Old Live Oak Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott Forster and Ryan Forster. Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Gibian, John Calloway, Miller Childers, and Jack Brown. Please send memorials to St. Pauls Episcipal Church.
Mr. Atkins was born in Selma on June 12, 1926. He attended Selma public schools, graduating from A.G. Parrish High School in 1944.
Upon graduation, he entered active Navy service as an Aviation Cadet, Class V-5. He was appointed to the U.S. Navel Academy by Congressman Sam Hobbs and graduated in 1949.
A 30 year Navy veteran, he served over 20 years in submarines and submarine related staff billets. He commanded the nuclear powered attack sub, USS Scamp and the Polaris missile submarine, USS Daniel Webster. He served as a submarine squadron commander in San Diego and as chief of staff to commander submarine force, US Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was a graduate of Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base and received a master���s degree from Auburn University.
His awards include Legion of Merit with gold star in lieu of second award, Meritorious Service Metal, Navy Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal and several campaign medals.
Retiring as a Navy Captain, he returned to Selma being active in civic affairs. He was a director of the United Way, a member of the Board of Directors of the Selma Country Club, a vestryman and warden of St. Pauls Episcopal Church and for six years president of the Sturdivant Museum Association.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Martha Kendrick Atkins. He is survived by two daughters; Adele Porter of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Caroline Forster of Rock Hill, SC, a son; Martin Atkins of San Diego, CA, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at St. Pauls Episcipal Church. Polk Van Zant will be officiating with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at Old Live Oak Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott Forster and Ryan Forster. Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Gibian, John Calloway, Miller Childers, and Jack Brown. Please send memorials to St. Pauls Episcipal Church.
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