James "Jim" Atkins III '64 August 8, 2024 10:20 AM updated: August 8, 2024 10:29 AM
James L. "Jim" Atkins, III
August 14, 1942 - April 2, 2024
James L. Atkins, III, known as Jim to all his friends, was born on August 14, 1942, in Beeville, Texas, to James L. Atkins, Jr. and Sybil K. Atkins. He passed away on April 2, 2024, in Singapore, Republic of Singapore. Growing up in an Air Force family, Jim lived in many different places, often saying that he attended 6 different first grades. He told the story of moving from Hawaii to Great Falls, Montana during the winter where he built a snow fort in his backyard and had the entire base searching for him until he was found, asleep in the snow fort.
Moving back to San Antonio from Scott Air Force Base in 1960, Jim went to Peacock Military Academy finishing high school. He was accepted at Texas A & M College, now Texas A & M University, Class of 1964 where he graduated with a Business Management degree. Upon graduation from A & M he managed his family's ranch, Circle R Ranch, in Medina, Texas which his father had opened as a summer camp for boys and girls. In 1967 he hired his wife-to-be, Marilyn Stafford to work at the summer camp and they were married November 12 of that year. They embraced life together; over the span of 56 years, they raised four sons.
Jim left the ranch to work as District Manager for Stop N Go Markets first in Austin, Texas then in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1980 they decided to become entrepreneurs and moved back to San Antonio where they started a video game business and after selling it, they opened a private mail center (which UPS stores today are modeled after). In August 1990 he and Marilyn opened their travel agency, Atkins Cruise and Tours, and joined Travel Leaders Network. Marilyn continues to work in the agency. As they built their customer base they became Hosts for Distinctive Voyages, a program within the Travel Leaders Network. They were able to travel the world while hosting groups of travelers. It was on their third world cruise that Jim contracted pneumonia and passed away.
Jim is survived by his wife Marilyn and their four sons. Jim Atkins (Deborah), Kevin Atkins (Andi), Earl Stearns and Edwin Stearns (Jan); six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Jim's life will be held August 10, 2024, at the Royal Ridge Recreation Club, located at 5859 Royal Ridge from 3 pm until 5 pm. All of Jim and Marilyn's friends are invited to come and share their favorite memories of him with her and his family.