On the morning of November 23, 2017, J.D. passed away at his home after a short illness. J.D. was being comforted by family members. J.D. was ninety-five years and thirteen days old. A grave side service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday in Buffalo Gap Cemetery with Brother Lewis Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. ~ 6:00 P.M. Saturday in North Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street. J.D. was born near Buffalo Gap, Taylor County, Texas on November 9, 1922. He was born to James Davis Atkins and Myrtle Mae Hill Atkins. J.D. joined the Army Air Force on October 19, 1942 during his enlistment he was in the Pacific American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater and Central Pacific Theater. J.D. received numerous medals: American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory, Services medal for Western Mandated Islands Campaign, Bronze Service Star, Overseas bars for each six months, Air Medal for his Meritorious Service on a C-47 in the Pacific Theater (For Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight). After the war, J.D. returned to Abilene and worked at the Abilene Reporter News for forty-three years. J.D. married Melba Gene White on May 9, 1946, and was married for almost seventy years. J.D. is predeceased by his wife, Gene Atkins, granddaughter, Karen Leah Anders, grandson, Jacob David Atkins, and two great-grandchildren Darby and Madison Morris, his parents, two brothers and one sister. J.D. is survived by two daughters, Lynda Gail Dunlap, Sammy Jo Myers-Chamness and husband, Randall Lee Chamness, two sons, John Paul Atkins and wife, Tina Atkins, James David Atkins and wife Janna Atkins, Ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, two great- great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and one sister, Naomi Shibley. Pallbears: Benjamin Anders, James Chadwick Myers, Justin Kale Atkins, Joshua Neal Atkins, Matthew Garrett Atkins and Nathaniel Arthur Gallion. The family would like to say thank you to Hendrick Hospice Care Unit and Staff and Nurses Unlimited Staff. Donations can be made to Hendrick Hospice Care.