February 27, 1943 - November 21, 2007
Emerson Atkinson, 64, beloved father and brother, died unexpectedly in his home in Tampa, FL. Born, reared, and educated in Raleigh, he was the son of the late Charlotte Houston Atkinson and the late Herbert Emerson Atkinson, bothcharter members of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. 
Emerson and his father worked on Saturdays with the other men of the congregation to build the little red sanctuary used for years until the current modern structure was erected. He was a faithful crucifer and acolyte in his youth, had perfect attendance Sunday School pins for twelve years and continued his service to the church as vestryman at Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, chalice bearer and lay reader at St. John's, Tampa, until his death. 
He attended Sherwood-Bates, Daniels and was graduated from Broughton High,1961. After a year at UNC-CH, he followed, his father's path in the Order of Kappa Alpha at NC State, was graduated 1965 in economics, completing his masters in 1967. 
After an honorable discharge as a U.S. Naval Officer, he worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, where he met and married his former wife, Patricia Tyrrell of Citronelle, AL. The couple relocated to Clearwater, FL, for him to pursue commercial, industrial real estate and construction.
Their union was blessed there with daughter Patricia "Tish" Tyrrell Atkinson now of Las Vegas. After a brief time again in Raleigh, he continued work in Tampa. During his career in Tampa/Clearwater, he planned and developed projects recognized for quality, attractiveness,and respect for the environment, including Harrison Square, Belcher Point, Estancia,and private professional office buildings, today a tribute to his vision and creativity. A member of the Tampa Bay Estuary Community Action Committee, he worked for eco-responsibility in development. He served anyone he knew in need, including the homeless, building schools and shelters in the Dominican Republic with his church. He honored his father and mother by contributions in their names to NCSU and the Ruth Eckerd Concert Hall in Tampa. He was generous. He is remembered and respected for his service to friends, strangers, church and community, quick wit, contagious laughter and ready smile. In addition to his daughter he is survived by his sister, Charlotte H. A. Sweeney, MD, brother-in-law, Brian C. Sweeney, PhD; niece, Katherine Sweeney McKenna of Nashville, TN, his first cousins, J. Lansing Houston and family of Raleigh, Susan Taylor Montague and family of Alexandria, VA, William Marcellus Russ, III and family, beloved companion Pauline Archard, Tampa; her daughter, Nancy Archard Davis of Orlando; and countless life-long friends. 
A memorial service celebration of life will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh at 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 14, 2007 with committal of ashes to follow in the church's memorial garden. 
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may remember Emerson with a contribution to a charity, to one of his churches and/or practice love and service to those in need.