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John Adkins Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Adkins
Alfred Staubus
January 30, 2020
John is missed by all those who knew him, especially the members of the Society for the Scientific Detection of Crime of which he was an active member. John is now doing justice in heven.
Alfred E. Staubus, PharmD, PhD
Past President of the Society for the Scientific Detection of Crime
Guillaume 'G' MANGEOT
April 26, 2008
Just some words to say Goodbye
I will always remember him.
I remember his kindness and his humor, I remember so many little things about these few weeks and there are all good memories.
To: Beth, Kendall and Taylor:
Sorry to be so in late.
I would like to say you all my condolences.
Everyone in my family is sad to learn he is gone.
I will never forget the kindness with which your family welcomed me.
He was a great Man, and he will stay as this in my memory for all the rest of my life.
Jim, Twila, Scotty, Kayla, and N. Celtic Brady
March 11, 2008
We are so sorry for your loss... Are thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...
Larry Leeson
February 26, 2008
I became a friend of John after serving Jury duty in his court. He was thoughtful and funny and will be sorely missed by many. Our prayers are with his family during this very difficult time.
David Diroll
February 14, 2008
I worked with John Adkins on the Sentencing Commission, Judicial College courses, and Governor Taft's Impaired Driving Task Force. I also enjoyed many conversations and his sometimes earthy e-mails. John was vital to our successful rewrite of the Traffic Code. While there is no signature on those statutes, I see John's handwriting everytime I look at them.
John was a commanding figure, perhaps the most charismatic judge I know. His intellect, self-confidence, and irreverent approach made him both respected and entertaining, a rare combination. He had presence. The rest of us were satellites around him, drawn by his gravity, and always enjoying the ride. I will miss Judge Adkins for a long time.
paul watson
February 11, 2008
May he rest in peace.
Not hvae known him.
But have heard about him
He must have been a great man.
Bart Weiler
February 8, 2008
I feel fortunate to have known John and the opportunity to learn from him during an internship I served 15 years ago. He was very generous with his time and patience not only during my internship but through out the years that followed. I am a better person today because of John.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sure that someday when we all think of John the first memories that come to mind will be happy ones.
Mitchell J. Brown
February 7, 2008
The Lord needed a good judge and a good man. He exceeded his expection when he called you home. I will miss you my friend!
Thomas Rice, Sr.
February 7, 2008
He gave me a signed copy of his remarks at my retirement testimonal in Januaury, 1994: "With Best Wishes, Your Friend, John.
What an honor it was to have my friend John serve as the master of ceremonies as I ended my 33 years of service as Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. It was even a greater honor to have John as my friend for many years and to understand his great care for others, his sense of justice, his wit and his humor. I will never forget John's Top Ten List of why I wanted to retire and his story about my early years as a young Trooper who stopped the old farmer and the "Circle Fly" that alaways flies around the wrong end of a horse.
John, we will miss your great qualities and compassion you brought to our lives.
Your Friend,
Colonel Thomas W. Rice (RET)
Ohio State Highway Patrol
Colleen Cooney
February 6, 2008
I cried at my computer when I read the email here in Cleveland. The music playing at the time was Calling All Angels. How appropriate. I feel so blessed to have served as a Municipal Judge with John. He will always be one of my favorite people. The music playing when I left work yesterday was Send In the Clowns. He was a truly great man and I will miss him.
Bobbie Hothem
February 6, 2008
I first met John when I started on Circleville EMS and have counted him a friend for many years. I found his classes at the OAEMS conferences informative and funny at the same time. The organization will miss a great friend of EMS. My thoughts and prayers are with Beth and the family.
Harland Hale
February 5, 2008
I was a new Judge in 2002. John was the first person to introduce himself and welcome me to the Judge's meeting. He had that rare quality of competency and humility, with a good dose of humor. I will miss his wit and wisdom. More importantly, I will miss the Judge Adkins welcoming smile. Judge Harland H. Hale
Sylvia Mosher
February 5, 2008
Beth, Wow, what a fight John gave. Sorry for your loss. He was one great husband, father, and of all, Judge! This community is at a loss and sadness among all. Connie & Mike & family, I know how close you were to John. He had compassion for many in the Community. He lived his life the way he wanted & loved every minute. We are thinking of all of you this week and always. Sylvia & Bill Mosher
Betsy,Russell,Kelsey&Kaleb Keller
February 5, 2008
Beth and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thought's at this time. We are sorry!
John Boyd
February 5, 2008
I ride a motorcycle and about five years ago I hit a patch of gravel in a curve in Hocking Hills and wrecked. As a result I was charged with failure to control. I appeared in front of Judge Adkins and, knowing he was also a rider, I thought he would understand the circumstances leading to my accident. He listened to my story with genuine concern and expressed his relief that only my pride was injured. He then asked, "Did you intend to wreck the motorcycle?" to which I responded "Certainly not!" "Then I guess you lost control." I paid my fine, but always appreciated his concern for my well being and his ability to inject humor into the situation. He will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
DIANE &DENNY LESTER
February 5, 2008
WE LOVED AND RESPECTED JOHN HE WAS
A GOOD FRIEND.MY WIFE ENJOYED JUST SETTING IN HIS COURT AND LISTENING ,TO HIS WITTY STORIES IT WON'T BE THEY SAME. I WILL MISS HIS SMILING FACE AT THE TRACK MEETS
DIANE AND DENNY LESTER
Stephanie Harness
February 5, 2008
Johnnie, you will be greatly missed! You were always like a second dad to me and I will miss seeing you in your chair listening to your radio when I come over. Love you
Linda Weiler
February 5, 2008
I know not a better person than John. His humor, his fairness, his compassion and loyalty are such quality traits that are seldom found in today's society. We have been truly blessed with the privilege of knowing John. My prayers are with his family on this very sad occassion.
Betsy,Russell,Kelsey&Kaleb Keller
February 5, 2008
Beth and Family, We are sorry for your loss we are thinking of you all at this time.
Craig Benzenberg
February 5, 2008
I remember John as kind, soft-spoken and "patient" when I took drum lessons from him back in the 1960s. At that time the Adkins lived across the street from the Davis family in Circleville. I'm sure that his teachings helped me to learn the rudiments and tempos that enabled me to join the Davis Demon Drum Corps, of which John was a former member. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Willie Ehrlich
February 5, 2008
I was sorry to hear of the loss of Judge Adkins. One image that comes to mind of his courtroom is the picture in the Circleville Herald of the squirrel Beanie Baby in his scales of justice when he heard the case of "Angel," the squirrel the state attempted to wrest from the woman who had raised it from its infancy. Judge Adkins used his heart in that decision to leave the squirrel in the home it knew. He will be missed in the community.
Teresa & John Demjen
February 5, 2008
John was a great family man, judge and best of all someone I called a friend. I will miss him dearly.
Cpl. Bill Cox
February 5, 2008
You were a legend even to a deputy like me in Franklin County on how you supported law enforcement. Rest in peace.
Cindy Barnhill
February 5, 2008
My thoughts and many, many, prayers are with your entire family. I loved John for his sense of humor, his ongoing love of the law, his fairness and loyalty to a community that truly admired him and loved him. He will be so very missed.
karon dixon
February 5, 2008
judge adkins was a good man and he put my life on the right track and i am so thankfull for that you all are in my prayers and may god bless you
Jeff, Linda & Maggie Harlan
February 5, 2008
John touched so many hearts. He will be in our memories for many years to come. I feel honored to have met and known John and his family as a friend and neighbor. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Patti Fisher
February 5, 2008
Dear Beth and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Judge Adkins. Please know your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss him a lot. He always made me laugh when I saw him and his presentations were always so enjoyable. He was a wonderful person and terrific Judge.
Rose Jamison
February 5, 2008
Beth, I am so sorry John is gone. I had not heard how he was doing and when I heard, Monday, about his death, I felt sick at my stomach. Please know that my heart is with you and your family.
We, the Cherry Street Diner Gang looked forward to the Monday mornings John would walk into the Diner with his tall, calm and collected demeanor, find a seat, quietly order his breakfast and wait until someone asked him, "How was your weekend and what exciting story do you have to tell". Now and then he didn't have a special story of chasing robbers and crooks, but quite often he did.
John was a special man and I have no doubt that he was respected and loved by all who knew him.
We will miss him with you Love and prayers, Rose Jamison
Janet Pettibone
February 5, 2008
John will be sadly missed by many. His approach to hearing cases and ruling on them was second to none. He was fair and actually made it fun to appear before him. I remember contesting a case before him wherein I was cited for speeding in Ashville. When the police officer testified that I was wearing pajamas when he pulled me over, Judge Adkins almost fell off the bench laughing, which, of course, made everyone in the court room laugh. Long story short, Judge Adkins ruled in my favor but warned me that the officer would definitely be on the look out for me, especially if I was wearing those pajamas. He was a great, fun, caring Judge and gentleman. He will be sadly missed.
Janet Pettibone
Gary George
February 5, 2008
Beth,
Judy and I are so sorry for your loss. John and I grew up together from kindergarden and was a very true friend. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Darwin Justice
February 5, 2008
Judge Adkins, You sir will be sorely missed. You were truly a champion for justice and what is right and fair. From a law enforcement aspect, you were one of our greatest advocates. My prayers will be with each and every one of your family members. You leavev behind a legacy not to be forgotten.
Alfred Staubus
February 5, 2008
John's friendship and humor was enjoyed by all those who were lucky enough to know him.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
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