James Thomas Atkins
March 1, 1932 — January 24, 2018
Dr. James Thomas Atkins, 85, of Columbus, GA, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at his home.
Dr. Atkins was a native of Atlanta, GA, born March 1, 1932 to the late Daniel Benjamin Atkins and Lilla Elizabeth Mayo Atkins. He graduated from Henry Grady High School in 1950. During the Korean War, he completed two years of service with the U.S. Army, stationed in the South Pacific on Enewetak Atoll.
He earned his Doctorate in the field of Special Education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN, in 1969. He taught at the University of Georgia before settling with his family in Columbus in 1974. After 21 years teaching in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Programs at Columbus College, he retired in 1995. He continued teaching part-time at the college and also worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the field of family counseling. Dr. Atkins was a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Anne Paschal, of Decatur, GA, his brother, Daniel Benjamin Atkins, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, and his former wife and lifelong friend, Lois W. Atkins, of Columbus, GA.
Survivors include his daughter, Laurie Atkins, of Columbus, GA, his daughter and daughter-in-law, Dr. Lindsey Atkins and Kimberly King, of Hamilton, GA, and his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. T. Mayo and Pat Atkins, of Fairburn, GA.
His ashes will be buried in the family plot at Bethany Baptist Church in McDonough, GA.
Dr. Atkins was a native of Atlanta, GA, born March 1, 1932 to the late Daniel Benjamin Atkins and Lilla Elizabeth Mayo Atkins. He graduated from Henry Grady High School in 1950. During the Korean War, he completed two years of service with the U.S. Army, stationed in the South Pacific on Enewetak Atoll.
He earned his Doctorate in the field of Special Education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN, in 1969. He taught at the University of Georgia before settling with his family in Columbus in 1974. After 21 years teaching in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Programs at Columbus College, he retired in 1995. He continued teaching part-time at the college and also worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the field of family counseling. Dr. Atkins was a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Anne Paschal, of Decatur, GA, his brother, Daniel Benjamin Atkins, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, and his former wife and lifelong friend, Lois W. Atkins, of Columbus, GA.
Survivors include his daughter, Laurie Atkins, of Columbus, GA, his daughter and daughter-in-law, Dr. Lindsey Atkins and Kimberly King, of Hamilton, GA, and his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. T. Mayo and Pat Atkins, of Fairburn, GA.
His ashes will be buried in the family plot at Bethany Baptist Church in McDonough, GA.
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