Name: Memorial service for Robert Garland Atkins Jr.
Start: 2025-06-04T11:00:00.000Z
Location: Francis Chapel at Myers Park United Methodist Church

Robert Garland Atkins, Jr.

September 25, 1946 - May 21, 2025

Charlotte, North Carolina - Robert Garland Atkins, Jr., was an affectionate, dedicated, and hard-working man. With sadness in our hearts, we share his passing. He was born September 25, 1946, and died Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Born and raised in Danville, VA, to Robert Garland Atkins and Kathryn (Jones) Atkins, Bob had a passion for sports and excelled in baseball and football at George Washington High School. After graduation, he was excited to take on his next adventure at Wake Forest University. He continued to play baseball there until his academics took a beating, so he decided to focus on his studies instead. He joined the fraternity Delta Sigma Phi and graduated with his bachelor's degree in business administration. Bob then went on to complete his MBA at the University of Georgia.

Shortly after, he met the love of his life, Jane. They married in 1971, knowing each other only a few months. They settled in Winston Salem where he embarked on his career with Ernst & Young as a CPA. They then moved to Charlotte, NC, where he started his extensive banking career with NCNB.

Bob loved spending time with his children and was at every event of their lives. He endured rough winters on the Appalachian Trail with his son enjoying every freezing second of the Scouting experience. He was always at the pool late nights supporting Jana on the sidelines throughout her swim team years, no matter how big and bad the mosquitoes were.

Traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren gave him some of his proudest and happiest moments. He always showed his children the importance of hard work and continued his education earning more degrees including a Master's Degree in Tax. Bob decided enough was enough when the students got quiet when he walked into the lecture hall because they thought he was the professor rather than a student. He turned his passion for learning towards his children as he supported them through Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Before retiring Bob spent 15 years in Central America as a Controller for Garan Manufacturing. He not only worked there but loved the culture. He established long lasting friendships and became a skilled Salsa dancer.

Bob's memory will remain in the hearts of his family, friends, and all of those who were honored to have had the privilege of knowing him. He is survived by his wife, Jane, of 53 years; son, Brett Atkins and his wife, Hilary and their two children, Andrew and Caroline of Sarasota, FL; and daughter, Jana (Atkins) Tune and her husband, Adam and their two children, Savannah Grace and Kinsley of Charlotte, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in the Francis Chapel at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Bob to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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

Published by Charlotte Observer from May 27 to Jun. 1, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Atkins

Sponsored by The Charlotte Observer.

3 Entries

Dick Smith

May 29, 2025

Bob and I have been close friends and teammates since meeting at Robert E. Lee Junior High School back in the late 1950s. Bob was always a serious student and an accomplished baseball catcher and football center. We attended separate colleges but met up again at the business school at the University of Georgia, where Bob was a year ahead of me and helped me to secure an assistantship that helped finance my second year. Decades passed, but we kept in touch, both living in Richmond and attending the same Methodist Church in the late 1980s. Bob loved doing things with Jana and Brett, and once talked me into joining them with my son at Kings Dominion for a day of one scary ride after another. I remember Bob riding every ride and seemed to be having more fun than the kids, while I watched and cowered down below. He kept saying I was missing all the "fun". The Atkins moved away, but we kept in touch mainly through high school reunions and dinners Bob would arrange with our old football coaches to pay respect and reminisce. As an only child, I think Bob considered a small group of teammates as de facto brothers and diligently kept up with us. I was honored to be one of those "brothers" and was reunited with Bob when I moved to Charlotte two years ago. Our regular lunches over those months are a treasured memory. When we were alone he would talk enthusiastically about his family and how much he appreciated the loving care of Jane whom he called "my angel". He considered himself a very lucky man, graced by God with a successful career and a loving family. I will miss him for sure, but the great memories remain.

Neil Fleming

May 25, 2025

Bob and I were high school classmates. I visited Bob in Charlotte several times over the past 3 years. Bob remained cognitively engaged, and his wit and humor was always evident. Godspeed, Bob Atkins.

Michele Phillips

May 24, 2025

My sincere condolences for Jane and the entire family. May the Lord give you peace and comfort during this time of grief. I truly enjoyed all my conversations with Bob, a wonderful man who will be missed.

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