Johnny W. Atkins

Johnny was actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America for over seventy years, serving as a member and professional. Johnny joined the Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Scout at 8 years of age, followed by Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts.  He was a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow and attended Philmont Scout Ranch and the 1957 National Jamboree as a volunteer leader. He earned his Silver Award in Exploring and served on camp staff during high school and college.  Johnny was an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program, and was proud to share that distinction with his brother, Paul; son, Kirk; and grandson, Logan.

After graduating from Midwestern State University in 1957, Johnny went to work with the Boy Scouts of America as a District Executive in Denton, Texas and later in Fort Worth, Texas.  He became the Assistant Scout Executive in Fort Worth and later became the Scout Executive in Paris, Texas.  Johnny was promoted to Deputy Regional Director in Dallas, Texas.  In 1970, with the merger of the councils located in Beaumont and Port Arthur, he became the first Scout Executive of the Three Rivers Council until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure over 200,000 youth members were involved in Scouting and over 3,000 scouts attained the coveted Eagle Scout Award.  In 1976, the Herb and Kate Dishman Scout Center was built under his leadership. He served on several National Jamboree staffs, Woodbadge staff, was chairman of the Regional Professional Conference in Stillwater, Oklahoma, was a Philmont Volunteer Training Center instructor and on several national task forces and committees for the Boy Scouts of America.

He was active in the community as a member of the Beaumont Rotary Club, a board member of the Equal Opportunity Commission of Southeast Texas, United Way, vice chair of the Beaumont Friendly Commission and numerous other organizations. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served on several commissions, as a board member, and as a member of the Pathfinders Class.

Since his retirement in 1994 he has served as Secretary/Treasurer and a board member of the USS Pelican Commissioning Committee and the United States Navy Days at the Port of Beaumont.  He also served on the board of the Beaumont Public Schools Foundation and on the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America - Three Rivers Council. He was an avid Lamar Cardinal’s basketball fan and member of the Lamar University Cardinal Club and the Midwestern University Alumni Association

Johnny received the Dick Dowling Award from the Clifton Steamboat Museum, Boy Scouts of America’s Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth, and the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Beaumont Public Schools Foundation.  In 2009, Johnny was honored with the dedication of the Atkins Training Center at Camp Urland built by his dear friend and Friend of Scouting, David W. Hearn, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Jennie Atkins, of Beaumont; brother, Paul Atkins, of Wichita Falls; children, Julie Laughlin and her husband, Rick, of Beaumont; Debora Brabson and her husband, Charles, of Humble, and Kirk Atkins and his wife, Donnis, of Kingwood; and grandchildren, Courtney and Troy Laughlin, Lauren and Logan Brabson, and Caleb Atkins.  Johnny is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Raymond Atkins.

A gathering of Mr. Atkins’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 24, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015, First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America Three Rivers Council, 4650 West Cardinal Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77704; First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3247, Beaumont, Texas 77704; or to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704.