Gid B. Adkisson, Jr. ABERNATHY- Gid B. Adkisso n, Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 24, at his home on the family farm a few miles east of Abernathy, following several months of declining health. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012 in the Abernathy High School Auditorium. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy, Texas. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, April 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Gid was born July 30, 1922, to Gid Sr., and Nellie Adkisson, and, with the exception of his college and war years, lived his entire life in the home of his birth. The youngest of six children, he attended Abernathy schools, graduating in 1940. He attended Texas A&M and, along with his entire class, enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1943, one semester shy of a degree. While at A&M, he met and fell in love with Marie Hall, from Quitaque, who was attending Texas Tech. They became engaged and sandwiched a Thanksgiving wedding in between graduation from army OCS and training in the Arizona desert in preparation for the invasion of Europe. As a platoon leader with the 317th Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, he landed on Utah Beach on August 6, 1944 and saw much combat moving across France and Luxembourg and into Germany. He received the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He was wounded a third time, but refused a Purple Heart because his wound was minor, and he had lost many men as company commander of Able Company, when they were caught in a crossfire as they attacked across open terrain. Returning to the farm in December 1945, he rejoined his wife and met his eleven month old son. He welcomed the tranquility of home and farm life. Over the next few years, the family grew to seven, three boys and two girls followed a few years later by another daughter. Gid chose not to pursue outside interests, and though he was dedicated to family and farming, sensed an obligation to make a contribution on a larger scale. That sense was addressed when, in the late summer of 1958, at the age of 36, he was asked to fill in temporarily as a high school math teacher. Within a few weeks, he knew that he had found his niche. Over the years he moved from the classroom to junior high principal, then elementary principal, HONDA special education coordinator, and eventually superintendent of the school district. His career spanned 28 years. For Gid, teaching was a calling. He was a natural leader whose passion was to help people, and it showed in the way he connected with and affirmed students, fellow teachers, and all who worked for him. He had a rare ability to foster a sense of dignity and value in everyone he met. After retirement in 1986, he continued tutoring, pursued woodworking, and became a volunteer at Lubbock Methodist Hospital. He was a member of the Methodist Church, Lions Club, TSTA, NEA, Retired School Administrators, and Classroom Teachers Association. His greatest source of satisfaction, however, was his 68 years with the woman he loved, and knowing his children and grandchildren were doing well. He had a lasting impact on an entire community. He will never be replaced.
Gid is survived by his wife, Marie Adkisson, of Abernathy; two sons, Gid Adkisson, III (Vickie) of Fresno, Calif. and Dr. Tom Adkisson (Claire) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; three daughters, Annette Ortega (Frank) of Amarillo, Texas, Suzanne Pointer (Jack) of Humble, Texas and Linda Cohea (Richard) of Franktown, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alice Richter (Hugo) of Aubrey, Texas. He was preceded in death by a son, Andrew Wayne, in 2009.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Accolade Home Health Care and Hospice, and to Paul Garcia for his dedication as a care-giver. Memorials may be made to the Moorehead Hardin Scholarship Fund, 1202 2nd St., Abernathy, TX 79311; First United Methodist Church, 704 Avenue D, Abernathy, TX 79311; Lubbock State Supported Living Center, 3401 N. University, Lubbock, TX 79415; or a favorite charity.
Published in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on April 27, 2012
Gid was born July 30, 1922, to Gid Sr., and Nellie Adkisson, and, with the exception of his college and war years, lived his entire life in the home of his birth. The youngest of six children, he attended Abernathy schools, graduating in 1940. He attended Texas A&M and, along with his entire class, enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1943, one semester shy of a degree. While at A&M, he met and fell in love with Marie Hall, from Quitaque, who was attending Texas Tech. They became engaged and sandwiched a Thanksgiving wedding in between graduation from army OCS and training in the Arizona desert in preparation for the invasion of Europe. As a platoon leader with the 317th Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, he landed on Utah Beach on August 6, 1944 and saw much combat moving across France and Luxembourg and into Germany. He received the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He was wounded a third time, but refused a Purple Heart because his wound was minor, and he had lost many men as company commander of Able Company, when they were caught in a crossfire as they attacked across open terrain. Returning to the farm in December 1945, he rejoined his wife and met his eleven month old son. He welcomed the tranquility of home and farm life. Over the next few years, the family grew to seven, three boys and two girls followed a few years later by another daughter. Gid chose not to pursue outside interests, and though he was dedicated to family and farming, sensed an obligation to make a contribution on a larger scale. That sense was addressed when, in the late summer of 1958, at the age of 36, he was asked to fill in temporarily as a high school math teacher. Within a few weeks, he knew that he had found his niche. Over the years he moved from the classroom to junior high principal, then elementary principal, HONDA special education coordinator, and eventually superintendent of the school district. His career spanned 28 years. For Gid, teaching was a calling. He was a natural leader whose passion was to help people, and it showed in the way he connected with and affirmed students, fellow teachers, and all who worked for him. He had a rare ability to foster a sense of dignity and value in everyone he met. After retirement in 1986, he continued tutoring, pursued woodworking, and became a volunteer at Lubbock Methodist Hospital. He was a member of the Methodist Church, Lions Club, TSTA, NEA, Retired School Administrators, and Classroom Teachers Association. His greatest source of satisfaction, however, was his 68 years with the woman he loved, and knowing his children and grandchildren were doing well. He had a lasting impact on an entire community. He will never be replaced.
Gid is survived by his wife, Marie Adkisson, of Abernathy; two sons, Gid Adkisson, III (Vickie) of Fresno, Calif. and Dr. Tom Adkisson (Claire) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; three daughters, Annette Ortega (Frank) of Amarillo, Texas, Suzanne Pointer (Jack) of Humble, Texas and Linda Cohea (Richard) of Franktown, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alice Richter (Hugo) of Aubrey, Texas. He was preceded in death by a son, Andrew Wayne, in 2009.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Accolade Home Health Care and Hospice, and to Paul Garcia for his dedication as a care-giver. Memorials may be made to the Moorehead Hardin Scholarship Fund, 1202 2nd St., Abernathy, TX 79311; First United Methodist Church, 704 Avenue D, Abernathy, TX 79311; Lubbock State Supported Living Center, 3401 N. University, Lubbock, TX 79415; or a favorite charity.
Published in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on April 27, 2012
Gid B. Adkisson, Jr. ABERNATHY- Gid B. Adkisso n, Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 24, at his home on the family farm a few miles east of Abernathy, following several months of declining health. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012 in the Abernathy High School Auditorium. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy, Texas. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, April 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Gid was born July 30, 1922, to Gid Sr., and Nellie Adkisson, and, with the exception of his college and war years, lived his entire life in the home of his birth. The youngest of six children, he attended Abernathy schools, graduating in 1940. He attended Texas A&M and, along with his entire class, enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1943, one semester shy of a degree. While at A&M, he met and fell in love with Marie Hall, from Quitaque, who was attending Texas Tech. They became engaged and sandwiched a Thanksgiving wedding in between graduation from army OCS and training in the Arizona desert in preparation for the invasion of Europe. As a platoon leader with the 317th Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, he landed on Utah Beach on August 6, 1944 and saw much combat moving across France and Luxembourg and into Germany. He received the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He was wounded a third time, but refused a Purple Heart because his wound was minor, and he had lost many men as company commander of Able Company, when they were caught in a crossfire as they attacked across open terrain. Returning to the farm in December 1945, he rejoined his wife and met his eleven month old son. He welcomed the tranquility of home and farm life. Over the next few years, the family grew to seven, three boys and two girls followed a few years later by another daughter. Gid chose not to pursue outside interests, and though he was dedicated to family and farming, sensed an obligation to make a contribution on a larger scale. That sense was addressed when, in the late summer of 1958, at the age of 36, he was asked to fill in temporarily as a high school math teacher. Within a few weeks, he knew that he had found his niche. Over the years he moved from the classroom to junior high principal, then elementary principal, HONDA special education coordinator, and eventually superintendent of the school district. His career spanned 28 years. For Gid, teaching was a calling. He was a natural leader whose passion was to help people, and it showed in the way he connected with and affirmed students, fellow teachers, and all who worked for him. He had a rare ability to foster a sense of dignity and value in everyone he met. After retirement in 1986, he continued tutoring, pursued woodworking, and became a volunteer at Lubbock Methodist Hospital. He was a member of the Methodist Church, Lions Club, TSTA, NEA, Retired School Administrators, and Classroom Teachers Association. His greatest source of satisfaction, however, was his 68 years with the woman he loved, and knowing his children and grandchildren were doing well. He had a lasting impact on an entire community. He will never be replaced.
Gid is survived by his wife, Marie Adkisson, of Abernathy; two sons, Gid Adkisson, III (Vickie) of Fresno, Calif. and Dr. Tom Adkisson (Claire) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; three daughters, Annette Ortega (Frank) of Amarillo, Texas, Suzanne Pointer (Jack) of Humble, Texas and Linda Cohea (Richard) of Franktown, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alice Richter (Hugo) of Aubrey, Texas. He was preceded in death by a son, Andrew Wayne, in 2009.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Accolade Home Health Care and Hospice, and to Paul Garcia for his dedication as a care-giver. Memorials may be made to the Moorehead Hardin Scholarship Fund, 1202 2nd St., Abernathy, TX 79311; First United Methodist Church, 704 Avenue D, Abernathy, TX 79311; Lubbock State Supported Living Center, 3401 N. University, Lubbock, TX 79415; or a favorite charity.
Published in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on April 27, 2012
Gid was born July 30, 1922, to Gid Sr., and Nellie Adkisson, and, with the exception of his college and war years, lived his entire life in the home of his birth. The youngest of six children, he attended Abernathy schools, graduating in 1940. He attended Texas A&M and, along with his entire class, enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1943, one semester shy of a degree. While at A&M, he met and fell in love with Marie Hall, from Quitaque, who was attending Texas Tech. They became engaged and sandwiched a Thanksgiving wedding in between graduation from army OCS and training in the Arizona desert in preparation for the invasion of Europe. As a platoon leader with the 317th Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, he landed on Utah Beach on August 6, 1944 and saw much combat moving across France and Luxembourg and into Germany. He received the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He was wounded a third time, but refused a Purple Heart because his wound was minor, and he had lost many men as company commander of Able Company, when they were caught in a crossfire as they attacked across open terrain. Returning to the farm in December 1945, he rejoined his wife and met his eleven month old son. He welcomed the tranquility of home and farm life. Over the next few years, the family grew to seven, three boys and two girls followed a few years later by another daughter. Gid chose not to pursue outside interests, and though he was dedicated to family and farming, sensed an obligation to make a contribution on a larger scale. That sense was addressed when, in the late summer of 1958, at the age of 36, he was asked to fill in temporarily as a high school math teacher. Within a few weeks, he knew that he had found his niche. Over the years he moved from the classroom to junior high principal, then elementary principal, HONDA special education coordinator, and eventually superintendent of the school district. His career spanned 28 years. For Gid, teaching was a calling. He was a natural leader whose passion was to help people, and it showed in the way he connected with and affirmed students, fellow teachers, and all who worked for him. He had a rare ability to foster a sense of dignity and value in everyone he met. After retirement in 1986, he continued tutoring, pursued woodworking, and became a volunteer at Lubbock Methodist Hospital. He was a member of the Methodist Church, Lions Club, TSTA, NEA, Retired School Administrators, and Classroom Teachers Association. His greatest source of satisfaction, however, was his 68 years with the woman he loved, and knowing his children and grandchildren were doing well. He had a lasting impact on an entire community. He will never be replaced.
Gid is survived by his wife, Marie Adkisson, of Abernathy; two sons, Gid Adkisson, III (Vickie) of Fresno, Calif. and Dr. Tom Adkisson (Claire) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; three daughters, Annette Ortega (Frank) of Amarillo, Texas, Suzanne Pointer (Jack) of Humble, Texas and Linda Cohea (Richard) of Franktown, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alice Richter (Hugo) of Aubrey, Texas. He was preceded in death by a son, Andrew Wayne, in 2009.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Accolade Home Health Care and Hospice, and to Paul Garcia for his dedication as a care-giver. Memorials may be made to the Moorehead Hardin Scholarship Fund, 1202 2nd St., Abernathy, TX 79311; First United Methodist Church, 704 Avenue D, Abernathy, TX 79311; Lubbock State Supported Living Center, 3401 N. University, Lubbock, TX 79415; or a favorite charity.
Published in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on April 27, 2012
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