Search by Name

Search by Name

Basil Eric Atkinson Jr.

1926 - 2016

Basil Eric Atkinson Jr. obituary, 1926-2016, Lufkin, TX

BORN

1926

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Basil Atkinson Obituary

August 28, 1926 - December 19, 2016
Basil Eric Atkinson, Jr., M.D. of San Antonio, Texas passed away in his home, surrounded by loved ones on Monday December 19, 2016. He was 90 years old.
He was born August 28, 1926 to B. E. Atkinson and Mable Atkinson in Lufkin. Dr.
Atkinson went on to live a long and remarkable life.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and served on the Marine Phoenix, a vessel used to transport troops to Japan and Southeast Asia. He later eloped with his bride, Frances Hall, to Oklahoma on June 22, 1950.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army in 1944, he attended medical school at Southwestern Medical School of the University of Texas in Dallas and later moved home to Lufkin to practice medicine as a General Practitioner. "The Doctor" became a fixture in the community, making house calls and treating local patients throughout the late 1950's and 1960's. In 1965, Dr.
Atkinson went to work for his family's business, Atkinson Candy Company, helping his parents and brother grow the business in the 70's and 80's. In 1983, he and his children purchased Judson-Atkinson Candies in San Antonio, where he worked until its closure in 2011.
Dr. Atkinson had an incredible work ethic that earned him achievements and accolades in all of his professions. He won the Doc Reed Silver Candy Dish Award in 2010, was inducted to the Candy Hall of Fame in 2011, held a co-patent with Mobil Oil for packaging technologies, hosted the first Republican Primary in Angelina County (in his garage), and served as a Lufkin City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tempore.
He was a world traveler, frequenting his beloved Paris and other destinations abroad, usually with his wife Frances and grandkids in tow. He enjoyed horseback riding, fast cars and cocktails.
Dr. Atkinson is survived by his children, Dennis Atkinson, Rinda and husband Ken Miller of San Antonio, Eric Atkinson and wife Darlene Atkinson of Lufkin, and Amy Atkinson of San Antonio; grandchildren, Shellie and husband Scott Davis of Lufkin, Jeremy and wife Erin Jones of Hondo, Joshua and wife April Jones of Kerrville, Sarah and husband Remington Tonar of Houston, Laurence and wife Poy Love of Austin, Valerie Voltz of San Antonio, Stephanie Voltz of San Antonio, Rachel and husband Justin Stone of Las Vegas, Nevada, Austin Atkinson of Houston, and Basil Eric Atkinson IV of Lufkin; great-grandchildren, Kaegan Jones; Claire, Luke and Cody Jones, Michael and Ryan Davis, Lanna and Dara Love.
Dr. Atkinson was preceded in death by his parents, Basil Eric Atkinson Sr. and Mable Atkinson; his wife, Frances Hall Atkinson; mother-in-law, Ida Perry Hall; his brother, Joseph Franklin Atkinson; and his nephew, Carroll Atkinson
Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, 404 North Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas.

Condolences may be
offered at: www.gipsonfuneralhome.com Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home, 1515 S. Chestnut, Lufkin, Texas; 936/634-4411.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Jan. 3, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Basil Atkinson

Sponsored by Gipson Funeral Home & Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Not sure what to say?





JOAN HOPSON

December 22, 2016

I came to know Dr. Atkinson in the early 1960's when working at Memorial Hospital. He was a very nice and kind gentleman. I very much enjoyed the slideshow pictures. My sympathy to his family.

December 22, 2016

Your family is in my thoughts & prayers during this hard time -

~Maci Herrington Dover

December 22, 2016

May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this sad time Psalms 29:11

Tom Spears

December 22, 2016

My condolences to the family. Dr. Atkinson was a fine physician and a good business man. We sold a lot of Atkinson candy in our stores.

Katie Dubose

December 21, 2016

Eric,Darlene,Sarah,Austin, & Beau your all in my thoughts and prayers. Granddaddy was a great and kind man.One thing for sure,he will be greatly missed.I enjoyed being around him and Frances they always made you feel apart.
Hearts a little empty today.

Sidney Gholson

December 21, 2016

Have many good memories of the Atkinson family, having worked my way through college employed by Atkinson Candy Co. in the late 50s and early 60s. My prayers for all the family at your loss.
Sidney Gholson

Mike Herring

December 21, 2016

Dr. Atkinson saved my life when I was 9 yrs old I had a Kidney Disease that most young people did not live through, I will never be able to repay him for all the nights he came to my Mom and Dads house with his House Coat and PJs and House slippers to care for me. I was bed redden for 11 months and he came at a moments notice, he will always be my Dr. even though shortly after he told me I could play football, he decided to go make candy. I`m 67 now thanks to The good Lord and Dr. Atkinson RIP My Friend

December 21, 2016

May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this sad time Psalms 29:11

Janice Liese Griffin

December 20, 2016

It is so difficult to believe that Basil and Frances are both gone now. They were my parents dearest friends. The four of them traveled many miles together and played many hands of bridge! I always felt like they were my adopted aunt and uncle. My condolences to all the family.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results

Make a Donation
in Basil Atkinson's name

Memorial Events
for Basil Atkinson

Dec

22

Funeral service

1:00 p.m.

Gipson Funeral Home & Garden of Memories Memorial Park

1515 South Chestnut, Lufkin, TX 75901

Dec

22

Interment

Garden of Memories Memorial Park

TX

Jan

5

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church

404 North Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX

Funeral services provided by:

Gipson Funeral Home & Garden of Memories Memorial Park

1515 South Chestnut, Lufkin, TX 75901

How to support Basil's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Basil Atkinson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more