Brian D. Akins

ODESSA Brian D. Akins, age 42, of New Braunfels, died in Midland on January 6, 2011. The Brian we all loved and worked with passed away quietly in his sleep in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 6, 2011 in Odessa, Texas. With blessed assurance he loved and praised the Lord and has gone to be with him.

Brian came into this world September 5, 1968 in Taft, California, born to Russell D. Akins and Cloeta Bowen. He was our second child, his big brother; Russ D. Akins loved him instantly. From the very beginning it was easy to see that Brian was going to be a leader and a charmer. He was an avid Oklahoma Sooners and Oakland Raiders football fan. His heart was always north of the Red River where he will be laid to rest.

Brian lived life to the fullest, and seemed to move about at breakneck speed. Good enough was not in his vocabulary, he always demanded "do it once and do it right". He lived this through out his life whether it be at play or at work. He loved fast cars and once drove his Corvette top fuel dragster 142 mph on a 1/8 of a mile track. That was his fastest at 3.69 seconds.

Brian attended schools in Bakersfield, Fresno and Healdton, Oklahoma. He excelled in sports especially football, track, and wrestling. He even tried his hand at drama his freshmen year at West High in Bakersfield. He was a beautiful loving child, truly a "One of a Kind". After high school he joined the Navy and saw the world.

Brian dabbled in various career choices early in his adult life, but it was the oilfield where he had his most successes. He worked all over the USA, working in many different capacities. He became a talented and knowledgeable Tool Specialist in the coiled tubing industry. He worked for several companies, but his proudest moment was when he and his dad opened RBI, an independent thru-tubing motor company in Midland.

Brian's passion for the oil industry led him to RoxWell Performance Drilling. He assembled and worked with the best crews in the industry, opening offices in Midland, San Antonio, Shreveport, and Pennsylvania. The future was unlimited for Brian, RoxWell and all rest of the crew. Brian was the kind of leader who barked out orders and wanted things done yesterday, but he had his employees well being in mind always. His brother described him as "kind of like a roasted marshmallow, hard and crusty on the outside, soft and tender on the inside".

Brian had his struggles too. Drugs and alcohol were his demons and he worked very hard at remaining clean and sober. His love of Harley Davidson's and his struggle to stay clean sober, led him to the Lord and to join The Messenger, a clean and sober motorcycle group in Midland. Brian dedicated himself to helping those in need. He educated himself, attending college and taking course to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor.

He worked shortly in this field but mainly donated his time. He visited with troubled souls at all hours of the day or night and he even took several troubled souls into his own home. He truly was dedicated to help others with the troubles he to, had known.

Brian is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughters, Brianna, Allena; son, Brian, of New Braunfels; father Russell Akins and wife Lisa of Fresno; mother, Cloeta Bowen and husband Ed of Bakersfield; brother, Russ D. Akins and wife Michelle; nephew, Silas; nieces, Lexie, and Jocelyn of Bakersfield; three step siblings and their children; and a multitude of relatives including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Brian told his wife just days before, his heart was right with God and how much he loved his family. The last time we all saw Brian, none of us knew that the Lord was ready for him to come home. We will miss you, son, husband, dad, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend.

Friends have set up a fund for his children's education at Complex Credit union in Odessa, Texas, entitled the "Benevolent account for Brian Akins and his children".

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Chapel. Burial will be 2 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2011 in Ringling, Oklahoma. Visitation will be from
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, January 10, 2011 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. To sign the guest book, go to www.sunsetodessa.com.

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens 6801 East Highway 80, Odessa, Texas 79762.