Obituary of James Atkins

James G. Atkins, Sr.; Lt. Colonel USAF (ret.), passed away at the Ray Hickey Hospice House November 4 following a brief illness after suffering a stroke on October 3.  Colonel Atkins, son of Gordon ("Jack") and Edith Atkins, and grandson of two, early Washington pioneer families, was 84. Answering the call to arms as did so many of his generation, Colonel Atkins enlisted at age 17 in the United States Army Air Corps May 17, 1942.  Accepted as an aviation cadet, he entered cadet training in Tempe AZ.  Completing cadet training, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, and entered flight training which he completed as a B-29 bombardier in June, 1945.  Headed overseas to join his B-29 squadron, he was awaiting transportation to the Pacific Theater when the war ended.  From the end of the war until his release from active duty and transfer to the reserves on November 30, 1946, he worked on the B-36 project at Carswell AFB, Ft. Worth TX. He returned to Camas where he was employed as an electrician at the Crown Zellerbach paper mill, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps.  His loyalty, patriotism, and love of flying, however, found him "rarin' to go" when the Korean Conflict erupted, and he readily accepted his recall to active duty June 14, 1951.  He was again assigned as a B-29 bombardier, and was stationed in Okinawa and Guam from which he participated in numerous long-range bombing missions over North Korea. Loving the Air Force, he remained in the service following duty in Korea.  Returning stateside in 1953, now a Captain, he was stationed at Ellington AFB, Houston TX.  The B-29 was, by now, obsolete in the world of jet interceptors, and in 1954 he was transferred to Mather AFB, Sacramento CA where he completed training and transitioned to B-47s " America's first, long-range, jet bomber.  Following his training, he transferred to the 98th Bomb Wing stationed at Lincoln AFB, Lincoln NE.  He was promoted to Major while stationed at Lincoln. In 1957, he returned to California " Castle AFB, Merced CA " where he transitioned from the B-47 to the heavier and even longer ranging B-52.  Upon completion of training, he was qualified as a radar navigator/bombardier, and joined the 42nd Bomb Wing stationed at Loring AFB, Loring ME.  At the height of the Cold War, he flew numerous "over the pole", 24-hour missions, "maintaining station" with his crew in the nuclear weapon laden bomber just outside of Soviet airspace.  The United States continued such missions well into the 1970s. From one extreme of climate and culture to another, he was transferred in 1960 to the 484th Bomb Wing stationed at Turner AFB in Albany GA.  At Turner, along with his crew, he remained in alert status ready to takeoff on 15 minutes notice throughout the Cuban Missile Crisis " his third active conflict assignment. In 1965, he returned north to join the 99th Bomb Wing at Westover AFB in Chicopee MA.  During his time with the 99th, he saw three, 3-month deployments to Andersen AFB, Guam.  Serving as strike planning officer for his squadron, and a combat crew member, he flew bombing missions over Vietnam during these 9 months.  He was promoted to Lt. Colonel in November of 1967 while in Guam. He remained on a "combat ready" crew and on active flying status during his entire 26 years of service.  Designated an Air Operations Officer and B-52 "stand board" radar navigator/bombardier, he trained and evaluated the performance of other junior officers in addition to his flying and administrative duties. Colonel Atkins' long years of service took him back and forth across the United States.  In addition, he saw overseas assignments in Okinawa, Guam, Korea, Saipan, England, Spain, Libya, Japan, and Thailand.  His performance, dedication to his country and his service, and continued quest for excellence in his duties earned him numerous citations and medals including:  World War II Victory Medal, United Nations Korean Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 stars (3 awards), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. During his years in Camas following his retirement, Colonel Atkins was a member of VFW Post 4278.  He contributed hundreds of hours of service to various efforts fostered by the Post, and served as its Assistant Quartermaster.  In addition, for many years he was a volunteer driver, and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. Colonel Atkins is survived by his sisters Jean Nordstrom of Vancouver WA and Margaret Sherman of Washougal WA, his son James G. Atkins Jr. of Loveland CO, his daughter Darcy Rohre of Richardson TX, his daughter Linda Hipple of Chandler AZ, his daughter Lori Atkins of Arlington TX, and his son Greg Atkins of Birmingham AL, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Viewing will be Wednesday and Thursday, November 11 and 12, at Brown's Funeral Home in Camas.  A memorial service will be held Friday, November 13 at 10AM at Bethel Community Church in Washougal.  Graveside services with full military honors will follow at 1PM at Fishers Pioneer Cemetery in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made to the SWMC Foundation.  Please note on your contribution that it be directed to the Ray Hickey Hospice House.  Donations may be mailed to 2112 East Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver WA  98661.