James Dale Akin

1939 - 2016

James Dale Akin, 77, of Bardstown, died Tuesday Oct. 4, 2016, at University of Louisville Hospital. He was born Feb. 4, 1939, in Green County, and a graduate of Magnolia High School, where he received many honors for his basketball abilities. He married his teen sweetheart, Sandra Wright, on Dec. 20, 1958. James, better known as Jim, loved his God, his country, church, and family. His passion was serving his community as a fire fighter for 35 years, including 12 years as fire chief for Bardstown-Nelson County Volunteer Fire Department. He was easily identified by his fire red suspenders.
James was the 1995 Nelson County Citizen of the Year, past president of the Dixie Firefighters Association, a State Fire Marshall, served his state and country in the Kentucky National Guard and the Army Reserve, served his church (Bardstown United Methodist Church) as a Sunday School teacher, and served on many church committees. He worked 45 years in the natural gas department of Louisville Gas and Electric Company. He was a founding member of the Nelson County Jaycees, a Master Mason in Duvall Lodge No. 6, past president of the Bardstown City School Band Boosters and an avid band parent.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Booker and Mary Sullivan Akin; and a brother, Gary Akin.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Wright Akin, of Bardstown; three children, James Lin (Melly) Akin, of Hamilton, Kan., Shelley Jean (Dr. David) Gordon, of Cincinnati, and Melissa Akin-Reynolds, of Bardstown; one granddaughter, Meagan Reynolds, of Louisville; and two brothers, William (Alberta) Akin, of Murray, and Douglas (Sherry) Akin, of Magnolia.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct 12, at Bardstown United Methodist Church, with burial in Bardstown Cemetery. The Rev. Scott C. Stith will officiate.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the funeral home.
Memorial contribution may go to the Alzheimer's Association.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.