Ronald Akins, 87, passed away peacefully May 16, 2024, at home with the love of his family surrounding him. Born July 30, 1936, in Statesboro, Georgia he was the son of Horace Akins and Beatrice (Nessmith) Akins.
Ron spent his childhood in Statesboro, GA, and post-high school, he enlisted in the Army National Guard before transitioning to active duty with the United States Air Force. His military career spanned three decades, taking him across the globe, including a deployment to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He concluded his military service in 1984 in Omaha, Nebraska, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant, then relocated to Belchertown. Post-military, Ron worked for the Ludlow Post Office until his second retirement in 2001. A staunch advocate for community service, he dedicated much of his time to volunteering at various organizations, including St. Francis Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 8428), the Belchertown Planning Board, the Westover Retired Activity Office, and more.
He will be dearly missed by his children, Laurie M. Bovat and James of Ludlow, Dana L. Brady and Robert of Rochester, New York, Lisa A. Ducharme of Belchertown, and Kim S. Akins of Belchertown. He also will be remembered by his nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as his sisters Sally Deal of Statesboro, GA, Barbara (Babs) McNure of Metter, GA, Beatrice (Bobbi) Bennett of Huston, TX, and many other beloved family members. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Patricia A. (Fogarty) Akins, his brothers Leffler Akins, Leo Akins, Lavearn Akins, Benjamin Akins, Heyward Akins, Dedrick Akins, his sisters, Christine (Akins) Birley and Jonnie (Akins) Wynn, and his grandson David Trude Jr, his wife Kelly (Markham), their daughters, Danielle Borate, and Kaitlyn Trude.
Visitation will be at St. Francis Church, 24 Jabish St., Belchertown, MA on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. The burial at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St, Agawam, MA at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis Church, 10 Park St., Belchertown, MA 01007.
Arrangements entrusted to Beers & Story Funeral Homes
