David Ward Adkins, 88, of Huntington, WV passed away peacefully at Emogene Dolin Hospice House of Huntington on December 27, 2025, with his family by his side.

David was born on September 15, 1937, in Huntington WV to the late Golza and Leona Ward Adkins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one brother Elliott Andrew in 1977.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 28 years Pamela Adkins, his three children; Brooke Adkins of Daytona Beach, FL, Mary Elizabeth (Diana Reed) of Meggett, SC, Barry and his wife Amanda Adkins of Chesapeake, OH, Pamela’s children; Kelli and Drew Hall of Huntington, WV, four grandchildren; Thad (Nicole), Andrew (Aaron), Zane Adkins, and Dylan Pantalena, great-grandchildren; Dominic and Eva Chapman, nieces; Kimberly (John) Marks and Leigh Ann Adkins, as well as a host of loving friends and family that will miss him dearly.

David was an ambitious man who received a full ride tennis scholarship to Marshall University and graduated in 1972. He retired from CSX Railroad and was a Principal at Sumerco Elementary School, as well as a teacher and tennis coach for Lincoln County Schools, Guyan Valley High School, Edgewood Junior High School, Hamlin High School and Merritt Island High School. David was a proud member of Beverly Hills United Methodist Church, and multiple other clubs which include MU, YMCA, and Park Board. He was the president of the Lincoln County NEA, Knight of the Golden Horseshoe as WV history teacher, Tennis Pro at Ritter Park and Ashland Tennis Center, also City Novice Champion 1956, WV/Ohio Valley AAU badminton Champs in 1965, singles and doubles 48 and over WKEE Tennis Champion in 1977.

A celebration of life will be held on January 24th at 2pm at Beard Mortuary family and friends may gather two hours prior to service time.