Third generation Tulsan John Charles “Jack” Atkins, 72, died Jan. 16 in Integris Hospital in Grove. Although 72 is too young to die, Jack lived a very large life: wild in his youth; helping countless others during his 32 years of sobriety. He was born in Tulsa on June 26, 1940, to Margaret and Paul Atkins, Jr. He is preceded in death by his parents and his (one year) older brother Paul N. Atkins, III, who also died at 72, a little over a year ago, and his stepson Tom Crosley. Jack is survived by his wife, Peggy Plummer Atkins, his daughter Kathleen, his brother Tom of Denton, TX, his sisters Susan and her wife Crystal Weathers of La Jolla, CA, Mary and her husband Rick Griffin of Concord, CA, and Patricia and her partner Mari Good of Eugene, OR as well as stepsons Lewis Crosley and his wife Tina of Tulsa, and Clay and Stuart Crosley. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, two aunts and many, many very dear friends who have recalled his big heart and wonderful irreverent sense of humor. Jack had been sick for several months when pneumonia and pain from an injured rotator cuff turned into a bleeding ulcer and anemia. He went to the Emergency Room with trouble breathing and died shortly. Jack graduated from Central High School in 1959, after “serving time” at Cascia Hall, St, Gregory’s in Shawnee, and Subiaco Academy near Little Rock, AK. He was the son and grandson of Tulsa physicians: surgeon Paul N Atkins, Jr., M.D., who practiced in Tulsa for over 40 years, and family physician Paul N. Atkins, Sr., M.D., who began practicing medicine in Tulsa before statehood. Jack entered pre-med at the University of Oklahoma where he pledged Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity; but, he said, “I was better at trying to destroy my life than learning to help others,” at that time. So, he opted for the highflying life of an overseas drilling contractor for Reading and Bates, Loffland Brothers and Calvert Oil. After years of adventures and misadventures, Jack found himself at the age of 39 when he entered a 12-step program. He went back to school earning two Associate Degrees from Tulsa Junior College, making the president’s honor roll for seven consecutive semesters, then earned a BA in Psychology in 1993 and an MHR in Human Relations in 1997 from OU. He earned a Master Gardener certification from Oklahoma State University’s Tulsa County Extension Office and began Atkins Landscape and Lawn Service, utilizing recovering alcohol and drug abusers for staff. He became a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and helped hundreds of fellow travelers on the path to sobriety. He worked for 12&12 and Palmer Drug Abuse in Tulsa, House of Hope in Grove and Summercrest in Muskogee. Jack said “I topped all my accomplishments by marrying Peggy Plummer (Holland Hall 1961) in 1991.” They moved from Tulsa to Spavinaw in 1998, and Peggy served on the City Council there for two years. Jack loved the beauty and serenity of the area. “I love God, I love my wife, and I love my life.” And he will be remembered fondly for how he lived it. Funeral Masses will be said at 1:00 pm in Holy Ghost Church, 120 W. Sequoyah Ave., in Vinita on Wednesday, Jan. 30, Father Michael Cashen, Celebrant, and at 6:15 pm at Christ The King, 1510 South Rockford, in Tulsa on Friday Feb. 1, Father Michael Knipe, Celebrant. Father Knipe married Jack and Peggy on Peggy’s birthday, Mar 2, in 1991. Cremation was conducted under the direction of Luginbuel funeral home in Vinita. This obituary was published in the Tulsa World on 1/29/2013.
