Jim Akins

James Lee Akins, age 71, passed away Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Jim was born June 15, 1950 in Des Moines, Iowa to Howard and Margaret (Rosa) Akins. He grew up in Baxter, Iowa on main street and lived the most perfect charmed life with his parents and siblings. He still smiled about his Baxter days; it was a town he never fell out of love with.

Jim met the love of his life, Terri, in November 1978 and quickly married her and her 2 girls, Michelle Lynn (at the time age 10), and Melissa DeeAnn (at the time age 1) April 28, 1979. Through the years there were so many good times and yes sprinkled with a few bad times, however no matter what, Jim could never leave the side of “his girls”. Jim loved big and disciplined big too, but that was okay. He spent a lot of days and nights by Michelle’s hospital bed holding her hand and telling her “You got this girl”. He spent a lot of Melissa’s (who he lovingly called Squirrel) growing up days taking her around as his little “sidekick”. Every time he ended the day with a big bear hug and a hard pat on the back. His famous words to the girls over the years were “don’t worry, we will get through this together”.

Some of Jim’s best days were spent with all of his grandkids at his home, eating, swimming, laughing, doing all the things he loved about family. He was so proud the day he became “Grampy” when his grandson, Jordan was born. He spent a lot of years building things for Jordan, teaching him how to make things, and just loved having him as his “little buddy”. Then twin girls came and that was even more fun for him. Kenna Lee & Keeli Lynn were born. Kenna Lee being named after him was such a proud moment for Jim. He spent a lot of those days helping chase twins around and providing whatever help their parents needed. Then years later, came Brooklynn. The girl who kept Grampy in line, stole his phone to put selfies on his camera roll, and never left his side, she was right there by his side even through his last days. He was her “dog” and she was his “puppy”. She loved him with everything she had and he loved her just as much. He taught her that love has no end. And she made him proud in everything she does in life, she could never fail in his eyes. Last, but not least came Brinklee. The girl that would only eat if “Bampa” fed her and she insisted on sitting on his lap. He loved her natural curly blonde hair and she loved his lap the most. Her words this last week, “I miss Bampa, I miss his lap the most”. Nothing made Jim smile that big smile more than his grandchildren.

He enjoyed woodworking and making so many wonderful gifts for family and friends. They were made with a lot of love and should be treasured by all who have one of his special gifts. Jim was a woodworker by nature, but a remodeler by “trial and error” early on. He learned this trade in his younger years and eventually worked on several home remodels and at one point owned his own business doing that. Jim was also a poet, a published one at that. Not many knew that a man with such a tough exterior was actually a big “softie”. His poems were part of some of his family’s birthday cards, Christmas presents, or the love of his life’s anniversary cards. He was such a softie that almost every child and animal instantly fell in love with him, not maybe every adult, but he didn’t care he loved on every baby and animal he could.

Jim might have been tough, but he had a giving heart and throughout all the years he and Terri were together they took people into their home to help them get back on their feet, helped others with their bills, groceries, whatever they needed. He welcomed so many of Michelle & Melissa’s friends for holiday gatherings or even just to come hang out and have a beer. They provided a safe place for everyone. And even in his last wishes, he gave of himself and has donated himself to the Iowa Donor Network. In the months to come his family will find out just how much he gave of himself even in his last breathes.

Jim spent over 30 years in the highway striping business. He could tell you every highway and county in the state of Iowa. When driving in Iowa I bet he has done every stripe at one time or another on that road. So next time you are driving, I hope when you see those stripes, they make you smile.

In his last days, he and "his bride” (how he referred to Terri still to this day) had just decided to retire in June, with the goal of living the rest of their days together peacefully. Spending time with all the ones that loved them the most. It wasn’t in the plan to have Jim leave like this or this soon after deciding to retire. Over the last few years, he worked closely with his son-in-law, Pete, on the house so that he and Terri didn’t have to worry about home improvements anymore. Showing Pete how to do some of the things that he didn’t already know and showing him “Jim’s way”. In the early years Jim rarely liked working with anyone else on remodels and home projects, but he grew to really enjoy working side by side with Pete. It took an extra patient soul to work side by side with someone as stubborn as Jim, but he softened and they worked well together. He enjoyed the nights that Gary & Linda Roberts came over to play Skip-Bo for hours and hours, eat dinner, and laugh. He still loved the days when he and his neighbor and forever friend, Randy Blair (otherwise known to Jim as Randoo) would meet up on their mowers and chat. They spent a lot of years raising kids as neighbors in the old neighborhood and then moved and became neighbors again in their current homes for the last 18 years. In his last days he got to really enjoy when Brooklynn and Brinklee would come over to his house to harass him, joke with him, hug him, eat dinner with him, it was all those days and nights with everyone listed above that he found a lot of peace and comfort.

He is survived by his loving bride of 42 years, Terri; daughter, Melissa DeeAnn (Pete) Nelson; grandchildren, Jordan Harmon, Kenna Lee Little, Keeli Harmon, Brooklynn Nelson, and Brinklee Nelson; and great-granddaughters, Evelyn and Lennon. Jim is also survived by his mother, Margaret Akins; siblings, Don Akins, Bruce Akins, Jane Akins, and Julia Akins; his “special sidekicks”, Gary and Linda Roberts; his longtime friends Randy & Linda Blair; numerous nieces and nephews; other loving relatives, many special friends, and his favorite furry four-legged friends, Bella and Sissy Kitty.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Harmon and his father, Howard Akins, and “Grandbaby Nelson”.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed immediately by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Oakwood United Methodist Church, 400 NE 56th St, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327. There will be a luncheon after the funeral.

Contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Jim.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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