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Jeffrey Allan Atkinson, Sr., 47, Rogersville, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in St. John's Regional Health Care Center, Springfield, MO.
He was born on April 14, 1961, in Springfield, MO, and grew up in the Rogersville area. He attended Rogersville schools and was a 1979 graduate.
Jeff was raised and worked on the family dairy farm and was a member of Antioch Church of Christ. He enjoyed his dogs, his John Deere tractors, and anything John Wayne. He walked tall and was always willing to do anything for his friends, family, and grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; two sons, Jeffrey Allan Atkinson, Jr., and his wife Ranae, and John Jody Atkinson; a daughter, Kasey Jo Atkinson; his parents, John Ed and Betty Atkinson; two brothers, Mark Edward Atkinson and his wife Dana, and Chris Atkinson; two stepsons, Rodney Dale Mitchell and his wife Rebecca, and Todd Cameron Mitchell and his wife Shannon; nine grandchildren, Zoe, Tad, Shelby, Quinton, Christopher, Edward, Ivan, Kale, and Kailey; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m on Sunday, May 18, 2008, in the J. D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, west of Rogersville. Burial is in the Antioch Cemetery, Rogersville.
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Renita Cron (Diekemper)
It seems impossible that Jeff has been gone for almost a year. Less than a month ago I was thinking of the boys of Panther Creek that I grew up with, as I drove home to see mom and dad. As I passed Antioch Road I had to wipe a tear from under my sunglasses.He was a great kid,he was a hardworking man with heart. His smile I miss, it was a great smile. He loved to tell me about his kids; he was so proud of all of them. Jeff and his family were my extended family; as were all the farming families I grew up with. I have always referred to the Atkinson, Cron and Galloway boys in my heart as the "Boys of Panther Creek". Really, I should write a book about them. It would be quite the treasure to pass on to the generations. The first time I remember meeting Jeff was in Miss Thelma's class, he yanked on my pigtail and made me mad;of course he just snickered and smiled.That is the smile I will always remember.He was my friend, as close as a brother.