James Burruss Adkinson

James Burruss Adkinson passed away on June 25, 2025 at Advent Health Waterman Hospital in Tavares, Florida. He was born September 18, 1946 in Gainesville, Florida. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Elaine Rowland Adkinson and his brothers William Dane Adkinson and Clayton R. Adkinson.
He is survived by his wife Janice Strickland Adkinson, son Ryan James Adkinson, aunt Ruthann-Hall­ Williams and extended family.
Jimmy/Jim was raised in Gainesville, Florida, attended area schools, and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1964. He received his AA degree from Central Florida Jr College, served in the Army Reserves for six years, worked as a jeweler at several area jewelry stores, was store manager and jeweler for Imperial House Catalog Showroom. He was certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in diamonds and gemstones. As the general manager he was actively involved in the development and building of the new Imperial House Catalog Showroom stores in Gainesville, and Leesburg Florida. He worked for Service Merchandise as store manager for several years and Eckerd's Drugs in Leesburg before returning to college at the University of Florida completing his BA Cum Laude in 1990 in Health and Human Performance. He refereed for USSSA - Softball, interned at Tavares High School and taught at Groveland High School for a year ultimately spending over 20 years at Lakeview Middle School renamed Millennium Middle School in Sanford, Florida teaching science to Pre-International Baccalaureate students. His certification required the Gifted Endorsement. Jim sponsored SECME (Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering) mousetrap car teams in regional and state competitions at the University of South Florida. As part of continuing education Jim spent three summers doing marine science research in Key Wes, Florida and Ft Jefferson. Jim, a lifelong University of Florida Gators fan, loved spending time with his "Wacahoota" friends, playing horseshoes, watching football, basketball, and baseball. He loved playing golf as well as watching it. He liked fishing and slow pitch soft ball. He participated with Ryan in Special Olympics as a Unified partner for bocce ball and golf and supported the bowling team.
Donations may be made in memory of Jim to The Special Olympics "Cool Train" bocce and bowling teams in c/o Coach Sandy Howard at 8201 SE 180 St, Oxford, FL 34484.
Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.