More detail on this person: CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 LAT G. ADKINS, US ARMY (RETIRED)
of Catlettsburg, Ky., passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015, at Community Hospice Care Center after a
13-year battle with cancer. CWO Adkins was born December 3, 1941, in Mud Fork, Logan County,
W.Va., a son of the late William Everett and Esta Marie Kirk Adkins. He was also preceded in death
by his wife Loretta Carol Bryant Adkins in 2003, his brothers Bill and Garry, and sister Brookie
Donahoe. He is survived by three sons, Lat Gerald Adkins Jr and his wife Mary of Oklahoma City,
Okla., Jonathon Kevin Adkins and his wife Dovetta of Catlettsburg, and Matthew Kirk Adkins and his
wife Monica of Midland, Va.; six grandchildren, Jacob, Jared, Marianna, Jeanna, Jonathon Jr., and
Kimber. He is also survived by one sister, Neltha Gibson of Tennessee. Mr. Adkins began his military
career in 1959 entering the US Air Force, after four years he left the Air Force and shortly
thereafter joined the US Army completing Warrant Officer Basic Course and Flight School at Fort
Rucker, Alabama. He served overseas tours in the Philippines, Germany and Vietnam. With over 8,000
hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command, Mr. Adkins flew more than 700 combat hours and numerous
fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. Lat was decorated many times throughout his military career but
was most proud of being considered a Master Army Aviator. He retired with 20 years active duty in
2001 with service in both the regular Army and National Guard. In civilian life Mr. Adkins was the
proprietor of the Western Auto Store in Catlettsburg from 1972 until 1985 and after closing the
store was one of the first pilots for Healthnet Aeromedical Services at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
During his tenure there he responded to hundreds of trauma and medical calls throughout the
Tri-State area. Many people today owe their lives to Mr. Adkins and the crews from Healthnet due to
their airmanship and professionalism. Lat was a master craftsman as well and his love of building
things, fixing things and flying things was unequaled except in comparison to the love he gave his
family especially his grandchildren. A funeral service to honor Mr. Adkins will be at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at the Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home, Panola Street, Catlettsburg.
Chaplain Oscar Rose will officiate. Final resting place in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens. Military
honors by Kenova Post 93 and the US Army. Visiting hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday
evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Adkins' memory to
Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101. Condolences may be sent to
www.kilgorecollierfuneralhome.com
Published in www.herald-dispatch.com/ on Aug. 11, 2015
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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