Charles Franklin Adkins, Jr., M.D., born January 24, 1921, in Austin, Texas, to Margarete “Gretchen” Maetze Adkins and Charles Franklin Adkins, died Friday, December 3, 2010.
He attended public schools in Austin and graduated from University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa in Austin and University of Texas Medical School in Galveston. During his junior year, he joined the Navy V-12 program. Upon graduating, he interned at Norfolk Naval Hospital and Aiea Naval Hospital in Hawaii. He was then assigned to United Stated Naval Hospital, Base 18 in Guam for six months, then sent to USS Earle Destroyer-Mine Sweeper 42 as squadron medical officer based in Sasebo, Japan, then medical officer for the V-12 unit at University of Texas, Austin and Southwestern University in Georgetown.
Following the war, he completed his three year residency in Neuropsychiatry, in Galveston, at the University of Texas Medical Branch. In July 1949, he began a distinguished career in psychiatric medicine in Beaumont with Dr. Winston Cochran. Concerned with the total care of his patients, he was instrumental in the establishment of The Beaumont Neurological Hospital and served as medical director for twenty-five years. He was also active in medical and civic endeavors of the community and the state serving as president of Jefferson County Medical Society, Mental Health Association, vestry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and long time Rotarian. He was a member of Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, president of NAPPH of Texas Psychiatric Association, a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Titus Harris Society, life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and member of Central Neuropsychiatric and American Neuropsychiatric Association.
During the Korean War, Dr. Adkins was recalled for duty in the Naval Medical Corp where he served as Chief of Psychiatry at Key West Naval Hospital. After returning to Beaumont, his practice continued until his full retirement in April 2010, spanning a period of sixty-one years.
In Galveston, he met Billy Finch, R.N., from Kentwood, Louisiana, a pediatric supervisor at John Sealy Hospital. They were married January 1, 1949.
Dr. Adkins is survived by his wife, Billy; four sons, Charles III, Russell, Andrew and his wife Shannon, Thomas and his wife Darilyn; six grandchildren, Claire and Paige both of Austin, Josh and Christi both of Oxford, North Carolina, and Charles and Dylan both of Beaumont.
A memorial service will be 4:00 p.m., Monday, December 6, 2010, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Street, Beaumont, with a gathering to follow in the Cloister. Services are under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Garden Fund, 680 Calder Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, or to the organization of choice.
