John Robert Atkins

John Robert Atkins, 88, of Monroe Square Assisted Living in Monroe, NC, and formerly of Wildcat Road in Edenton, NC,died Wednesday, April 9, 2014. Mr. Atkins was born in Lucasville, OH on August 12, 1925, and was the son of the late John and Lena Kelley Atkins. An Army veteran of World War II, he served his country with the 104th Infantry Division, and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars. After the war he earned his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University, and settled and raised his family in Columbus, OH. During his career with consulting firms, and for a period of 10 years with his own company (Atkins & Mercer, Ltd), he acquired registration as a Professional Engineer in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Retiring in 1988, he and his wife moved to Edenton where he was active in many civic and community activities including The Edenton Lions Club, The Albemarle Sounds, The Edenton Little Theater, the Chowan Golf & Country Club, and was member of various Masonic Lodges for over 60 years. Other enjoyments included spending time as a gardener, beekeeper, playing the banjo, winemaker, author, and participating in many of Edenton's holiday parades. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Regina Maxine McVey Shoop Atkins, his sister, Evangeline, and by brothers, Fred, Al, and Jim. Surviving are his children, Tom Atkins (his wife Sandy and their daughter Zoe), Gary Shoop (his wife Mary and their sons Paul Emory, Tim, and Chris), and Debbie Carter (her husband Russell and their daughter Kaelie). Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton. Burial with military honors will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends may join the family on Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.