David Allen Atkins

David Allen Atkins passed away peacefully at home on March 30th in Kingsburg CA at the age of 67 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 30th, 1957 to Barbara McCarthy and Amos Atkins in Fresno Ca. He was the first of six children, learning early the responsibility of caring for others that he carried throughout the rest of his life. He learned his strong work ethic at an early age from growing up on dairy farms in the Merced area. He and his brother Jerry would milk cows in the early morning hours before school. He loved living in the country, especially remembering the smell of cow manure, which to him was like perfume.
David met his future wife Melanie on December 19th, 1975, a date that they celebrated yearly as their Day-We-Met-Aversary. They went on their first date 2 weeks after they met and were together from that point on. This December would have been their 50th Day-We-Met-Aversary.
He left high school early to join the workforce but still wanted his high school diploma. He worked at Ito Packing in Reedley as a truck driver during the day and attended Selma Adult school at night. He got good grades, mainly because Melanie was doing all his homework. He received his GED in 1976.
David and Melanie were engaged the following year and were married on June 24th, 1978. A month after they were married, David realized he wanted a better paying job and went to work for Wickes Lumber in Fowler CA, which began his career in the hardware industry. In March of 1980, David became a father for the first time when his son Louis was born. While working hard at Wicks and being promoted multiple times there, David's hardware journey led him and his family to Bakersfield CA, where he was promoted to store manager. During this time, David wanted to try a career change, going into law enforcement. He was accepted into the California Highway Patrol Academy. When he was due to report to the academy, Wicks did not want to lose him as a valued employee and made him an offer that made him hesitate. In the end David chose to stay with Wicks. In June of 1986, David became a father for the second time welcoming his next son, Andrew, and for a third in 1992 when his daughter Rose was born. David loved his children with all his heart and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. In 1993 David moved his family to Tulare CA. There he became the manager at Morris Levin & Son.
David's hardware career then led him to accept a position with California Hardware as a territory sales manager. Here he established many business relationships that followed him through the rest of his career, many turning into long time friendships. David took on a second job at Midwest Fasteners to sell nuts and bolts to his customers. Unfortunately, he had to give up the position due to conflict of interest.
David's last career move was taking a position with Jensen Distribution Services, which later became Emery Jensen Distribution where he spent his last 15 years serving his loyal customers, many who had followed him from his Cal Hardware days. He was very competitive when it came to sales, checking his numbers daily and was named top salesmen many times throughout his career. He dedicated his time and energy serving his old and new customers by helping their businesses develop and grow. Many times working nights, weekends, holidays, and even during family vacations. You would always find him either on the phone talking to a customer or on his laptop sending in an order. His customers were very important to him even throughout his illness. Trying to place orders while in the hospital and giving advice to his niece Audree, who was hired as his assistant and had to assume responsibility for his accounts when he could no longer work.
David greatly enjoyed his yearly Zamora family camping trips to Morro Bay. He took joy in planning the menu and cooking the breakfasts and dinners for the entire family. If David wasn't cooking you found him napping in his tent. David also loved his cruises. Whether it was with family or just his wife. He was either on a cruise, planning a cruise, or talking about cruising. The last couple of cruises he took were to the Bahamas that sailed out of Miami where he discovered his love of Cuban food. David enjoyed trying new foods every chance he got. Many of the family trips were centered around his favorite places to eat. Whether it was stopping at Philippe's to get a double dipped french dip on the way down south or going to the coast just to get his clam chowder at Finns, he loved his food. David had a great love for taking his family to Disneyland. He loved to just sit on a bench watching people while eating his corn dog or chimichanga. David also loved having the whole family come to the house so he could cook for everyone. His favorite time was what he called the New Years Day Food Fest. Every Jan 1st he would make a whole table full of different hors d'oeuvres. He always made sure there were plenty of treats in the house for his Grandchildren, who he loved dearly.
Taking care of his family was the most important thing to him. He would give without question, whether it be family, friend, neighbor or stranger, what ever was needed. He was devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
David is survived by his loving wife Melanie, his children Louis (Brandi) Andrew (Haddie) and Rose (Dylan). His grandchildren David, Joseph, Abigail, and Stella. Mother Barbara McCarthy, his siblinging, Jerry Atkins, Brenda Bridger (Terry), Cathy Still (James), Sheryle Stone (Ramie), and Mike McCarthy (Vicki). Mother-in-law Karen Zamora, sisters-in-law Laurie Stefanelli, Julie Perea (John) Nicole Garza (Anthony) and many nieces and nephews.