Leon Abbott "Jimmy" Atkinson Jr.

Leon Abbott "Jimmy" Atkinson Jr., 93, of Richmond, passed away on May 11, 2006 at Aspen Gayton Terrace in western Henrico County. Jimmy was born in Richmond, Va., the second child of Annie Norman and Leon Abbott Atkinson. Predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Frances Frix Atkinson; and his sister, Louise A. Banks. Jimmy is survived by his children, Stuart A. Atkinson of Richmond, Jean A. Mallory of Louisa, Va. and James B. Atkinson of Luray, Va.; grandchildren, Michael T. Mallory, Stacy M. Pugh, Samantha M. Byrd, Timothy E. Atkinson and Joseph D. Atkinson; and great-grandchildren, Tanner, Garrett, Schuyler and Hayden Pugh. Jimmy was a man of many talents reflected in his adaptation to a number of positions, careers and interests held throughout his life. Prior to marriage at the age of 29, he assisted with a family business associated with the Richmond Farmer's Market and apprenticed as a carpenter, active in home and school construction in the Richmond area. He also held a temporary position associated with a construction contractor tasked with the development of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station in northern Florida. Jimmy married Frances Frix on April 11, 1942 and within days, received a notice from the draft board informing him of his upcoming induction into the U.S. Army, effective May 2, 1942. He served in the U.S. 2nd Armored Division, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion under the leadership of General George S. Patton Jr. Jimmy participated in the Western Task Force landing of "Operation Torch" at Safi, Morocco on November 8, 1942 and subsequently advanced with his unit all the way across North Africa to Tunisia. His primary duties included the detection and disarming of land mines. He also participated in the "Operation Husky" landing in Gela, Sicily on July 9-10, 1943. He received a medical discharge at the rank of sergeant on January 29, 1944, having been wounded by shrapnel during the invasion of Sicily. In the post war years, Jimmy started as a salesman for Goodyear Tire Co. in the Richmond area and became manager and part owner of Goodyear Tire in Warsaw, Va. Upon an untimely return to the Richmond area in 1964, Jimmy held a series of positions associated with building suppliers and ultimately became a traveling salesman for an industrial roofing and flooring company, The Monroe Co. Throughout his life, Jimmy enjoyed golf, bowling, boating, fishing, gardening with a capital "G" and travel. He also became active in Sunday school and church leadership in his later years. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 15, 11 a.m., at Monument Heights Baptist Church, 5716 Monument Avenue, in Richmond. Visitation will precede the service at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Aspen Gayton Terrace, 12401 Gayton Road, Richmond, Va. 23233 or to Bon Secours Hospice, 8580 Magellan Parkway, Richmond, Va. 23227.