Joe Frank Atkinson

Joe Frank Atkinson was born Jan. 1, 1927, in Pine Bluff, Ark. to Samuel Luther Atkinson and Eila Callaway Atkinson, the youngest of siblings Mary Jane Atkinson, James Wiley Atkinson, Samuel Luther Atkinson Jr., all who proceeded him in death. He attended Gabe Meyer Elementary School, Pine Bluff Junior High School, and Pine Bluff High School. He joined the Army Air Corp, serving in Japan in the military police. As a student at the University of Arkansas he met his wife of over 63 years, Adair Crane. Graduating with a Bachelor of Business, he and his family lived in Vicksburg, Miss. prior to moving to Shreveport, La. where they lived for 40 years. The last 16 years of their time in Shreveport, Joe and Adair spent the warm months on a houseboat on Lake Ouachita, where they had many good times with family and friends. He loved being on the water and enjoyed fishing. They have lived in Hot Springs Village since 1992. Joe was a member of the United States Power Squadron, teaching numerous boating and boating mechanics classes. He was an avid golfer and served as a Marshall at Cortez Golf Course in Hot Springs Village. Joe was a passionate volunteer, serving as Assistant Leader of Boy Scout Troop 25. He was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Elks. He was a volunteer AARP Tax Preparer. He was a deacon at several Presbyterian churches, and Head of the Board of Deacons at Dunlap Presbyterian Church in Shreveport. Joe's careers were in business sales working for Baird-Polan and Procter & Gamble, until a work accident forced early retirement. He then worked as an independent investor. Joe was known by his family and friends for his twinkling blue eyes and contagious smile, his humor and his story-telling, and his love for his wife, Adair Atkinson, and their family: children Martha Atkinson D'Anna, Joe Frank Atkinson, Jr (Fran), Ruth Atkinson Lee (Mike); grandchildren Lisa D'Anna Smith (John), Frank Christopher D'Anna (Jessica), Joe Frank Atkinson III, William Andrew Paul, Kristin Atkinson Stuart (Bleu), Lauren Crane Paul (fiance Colin Dean), and Rebecca Anne Paul; great-grandchildren Ashley, Lindsey, and Haley Smith, Olivia and Jillian D'Anna, and Will Stuart. He will be missed greatly by his family and his friends. The family extends much gratitude to Joe's recent caregivers for their loving care, Primary Care of Hot Springs and Edith & Mark Todor, VA Foster Care Home. A service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for Joe's life will be held Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, 10 a.m. at Kirk in the Pines Presbyterian Church, Hot Springs Village, Ark. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Kirk of the Pines Presbyterian Church, the Good Samaritan Society or Teen Challenge.