Eugene Adkins, Jr.

EUGENE ADKINS, JR. peacefully entered heaven, in the early morning hours of August 30th, 2023.  He was born in Logan, West Virginia to the late Eugene Sr. & Macey Mae Farmer Adkins and raised alongside his loving siblings Taylor (Diane) Adkins and Brenda Stotesbery.

Eugene was an intelligent, witty, giving man. He always had an answer and could fix anything. His son-in-law Keith often said, “there's nothing I can break that Eugene can't fix,” pretty much sums it up.  He was our "google." Even at the end, while he couldn't physically fix things, he would sit on the porch and offer advice and solutions as his son-in-law James would work on the tractors, heavy equipment, etc. He loved to teach what he knew and he loved "his boys," all of them.  His wittiness brought his family and friends much laughter right up until his passing. He had the nurses in ICU laughing and loving him.  They would often stop by to visit him, even if he had been moved to another ward, they'd find him.  Who can be in intensive care and talk a nurse into busting him out to the outside.  He did.  He got to enjoy a stroll with his caring nurse and daughters.

Eugene was a jack of all trades.  His favorite was his railroad jobs with CSX, Amnitrax and Relco Locomotives.  He was also a self-employed contractor for a number of years.  There was no task too big, from start to finish.  He literally and figuratively built parts of the community. He built stores all over the Tri State.  In the 90's he was the one who headed up and the building of glass block fountains in Morgantown, Ashland, and Columbus.  Some of his most proud work was the fountain in Ritter Park and his late-night move of the Colis P. Huntington statue that now sits (with a year 2000 penny underneath) in front of the old C&O Depo.  Once when taking the entrance exam for the army enlistment, the instructor told the room of men, we are sitting among a mental giant.  His reference was Eugene.

Eugene was a hard working man and remained so even as his health declined. He was a fighter and he fought up until his passing.  He is a true example of II Timothy 4:7-8 

 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Eugene had a heart for service.  If he knew of a child or family in need he was quick to offer his help.  At Christmas, his favorite was to give to kids on the angel tree. He asked the family not to buy for him and to instead bless the various food banks around town.

Eugene spent many years volunteering his coaching skills & teaching lessons to little league, ASA travel ball and served as an Assistant Coach at Wayne High School.  He taught his players that there is no team out there better than you and they believed him. Those skills extended far beyond the softball field….true life lessons about family, dedication, resilience, leadership and humility.  These lessons are a lasting legacy.

Eugene loved the Lord and trusted his life to Him. He loved to read his Bible and attended church at New Life Church and Christ Temple.

Eugene leaves behind to join him later, his loving wife, Jeannie Jordan Adkins; his girls and his “boys” Amy (Matt) Himmelrick, Macy (James) Cochran, Kelly (Keith) Browning, and Bryan Buser; also, his grandchildren, Brooke (Samuel) Vance, Ethan Cochran, Jaxon Buser and Josie Browning.  

Eugene’s celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Johnson Tiller Funeral with Pastor Josh Huffman officiating.  He will be laid to rest with Rosa Lynn Buser at Bowen Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

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