Donnie "Don"

Lonzo Adkins

Donnie L. Adkins was born May 5, 1945, in Amherst, Texas. Don passed away July 9th, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. Don was the son of Vivian and Vinnie L. "VL" Adkins, Jr.  Vivian and VL had 4 children: Vinnie Joe Adkins (1941-1943), Don Adkins (1945-2026), Brenda Adkins Michaud of Brownwood, Texas, and Robert L. (Bob) Adkins of Sweetwater, Texas.

In 1963, Don married Donna Allison. They had two children: Allen Adkins and Dawn Mays. Don has five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Don served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1976. In 1967, Don was assigned to work in the US Pentagon. While intended to be an honor, the assignment was one he disliked to the point he volunteered to go serve in Vietnam so his family would be moved back to Texas.

In 1968, Don graduated as an Honor Student from the United States Air Force Aircraft Maintenance School, and he was assigned to the 2955th Combat Logistics Support Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. There, he served as the NCO in charge of C-130 Hercules Aircraft Propeller Repair Section and performed these duties in and throughout Southeast Asia and the US.

At the end of 1969, through 1970, Don was stationed at Son Nhut Air Force Base, Vietnam, for which he received the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In 1971, Don was stationed at Ching Chuan Kang Air Force Base, Taiwan, where he travelled to bases throughout southeast Asia including the Philippines, Thailand and Okinawa.

After serving in the US Air Force for 14 years, Don served in the US Air Force Reserves for an additional four years, completing 18 years of military service before his Honorable Discharge.

In 1976, Don was persuaded by his brother to move to Sweetwater to manage Adkins Chevrolet. In 1977, Don and his brother started A & A Transports, Inc., an oil field water hauling service. Don sold the business in 1999.

Don lived in many cities across the US and around the world and he said that Sweetwater was the best place he ever lived.

For years, Don raised cattle and goats at his ranch south of Sweetwater. He deeply valued honesty, hard work, and the company of genuine people. A steadfast patriot, he held a special place in his heart for veterans, underdogs, those facing hardship, and his beloved country.

Don cherished the character and warmth of the people in Sweetwater, where he formed many lifelong friendships. Known for his quick wit, he loved to laugh, share jokes, and gather with friends at the local coffee shop.

In his later years, moved by the genuine Christian character of those around him, Don made the most important decision of his life. In May 2025, at the age of 80, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was baptized as a follower of Christ.

Visitation will be at McCoy Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 15th from 6-7 p.m.

Services will be held at McCoy Chapel of Memories at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 16, 2026. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater, Texas.

Mike Ensminger, Normandy Church of Christ, will be officiating the service. The pallbearers will be Billy Whisenant, Buzzy Suggs, Glen Barton, Bret Jolley, Greg Reed, Rick Alley, and Bruce Clayton.

All funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of McCoy Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.