- 11144 Warwick Boulevard • Newport News, VA 23601
- Follow Us
Obituaries
Stanley Akins
Colonel Stanley Ernest Akins, United States Army, retired, entered into rest on December 10, 2021, at his home in Newport News, VA. By his side was his wife, Debra Verser Akins. Stan was born in Alliance, Ohio to parents Clem and Clyda Akins. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Kent State, his Masters from the Florida Institute of technology, as well as attended the Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College.
Stan’s 27-year army career was well decorated. He held command positions at rank from Lieutenant to Colonel culminating at Fort Eustis in Newport News and Fort Monroe in Hampton, VA. He had extended duty service in the Republic of Vietnam, Germany, and Turkey. His military career took him all over the world as part of the Transportation Corps.
Stan was a distinguished member of the Transportation Corps and past treasurer of the Transportation Regimental Association. He was instrumental in retrieving items from the James River mothball fleet for the Fort Eustis Transportation Museum. After retiring, Stan had a long career importing antiquities and Oriental carpets for his business.
His passion was buying and restoring clocks and furniture as well as trips to Turkey to purchase rugs and visit many friends there.
He was a member of the Shriners, Masons, Elk, and Moose.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Clem. He is survived by his wife, Debra, and his two children, Stanley Jr. (Felicia) and Braden (Julie). He was blessed with four grandchildren, Isabel, Tristan, Garin, and Ivory. He is remembered by his brother, Glenn, sister, Sandy, first wife, Susan Polkabla-Akins, and Debra’s children, Lauren and Jason.
A Celebration of Stan’s Life will be held at Peninsula Funeral Home on Sunday, January 9, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service. A private interment at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Stan’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116, or your favorite charity or church.
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.
3 Comments
Stan was one of our favorite customers here at Trophy World in Hilton Village of Newport News, Va. Not our biggest customer but a very good one in many ways.
It would go like this; Bob, “its Stan and I need another plate with engraving for another Shriners plaque I have sold, the name is…. ” He was very dedicated to selling those plaques to benefit the Shriners and he would always get that name plate for their plaque. Yes, dedicated indeed. When he came in to pick up the plate we would have a nice, albeit short, visit. And sometime for his convenience, mostly due to the parking availability here, I would give him curb service, delivered right out to his car! Interestingly enough for me, we never discussed his distinguished military career. A good man.
We appreciated Stan as a customer and more for what he was doing for others,. We will miss him. Our sympathy to Mrs Akins and the family and friends…..Bob Hilling, Owner Trophy World, Inc.
The members of Blackbeard’s Crew are very grateful to Stan’s dedication to our organization and very grateful for his distinguished military service. Stan was one of our Blackbeard’s Crew founding members and with the Crew from the very beginning. He will be missed. Stan preformed many duties during his tenure with Blackbeard’s Crew including storekeeper and treasurer. Stan also created the storyline for Tavern Talk (Incident at Bunch of Grapes Tavern), a skit performed by the Crew at the beginning of each Hampton Blackbeard Pirate Festivals.
I worked with Stan while he was on the Joint Staff, Logistics Directorate. We got to be very good friends throughout the years. He was a lot of fun to be with. He used to visit Pat & I at our home in Northern Virginia. We enjoyed his Christmas cards and CD’s.
Sorry we did not know of Stan’s passing or we would have attended his Celebration if Life ceremony.