Russell Frederick Adkins

Russell (Russ) Frederick Adkins was born on February 9, 1946 to John and Adele Adkins in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from high school in Atlanta in 1964 and went to the University of Kentucky, where he met his future wife, Sharon. After graduating with his Bachelor's in Communications, he joined the Air Force. Facing deployment to Vietnam, he married the love of his life, Sharon Massengill, on base in San Antonio, Texas. After serving a year in Vietnam, he reunited with Sharon and they lived in Tampa before attending graduate school at Clarion University in Pennsylvania. After graduating with his Master's degree in Instructional Design, they moved to Wichita, Kansas. Russ worked at Wichita State University, where he eventually became the Director of the Media Resource Center.

He and Sharon had 2 daughters while in Wichita, Jennifer Marie and Lesley Allison. Russ was a loving father who truly enjoyed parenting his daughters. In 1988, Russ and Sharon fulfilled their dream of moving back to Florida, and settled in Ormond Beach. Russ went on to become the Dean of Educational Technology at Daytona Beach Community College, and then the Associate Dean for Online and Instructional Technology at Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale. He and Sharon returned to Tampa to retire, where he began his own consulting business.

Russ is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sharon, his daughters Jennifer Adkins and Lesley Staton, his sister Jan Adkins, his son-in-law Robert Staton, and his grandchildren Keller Adkins and Ella and Luke Staton. Russ’s greatest joy was time spent with family. He also deeply treasured the connections he made with friends and colleagues over the years. He enjoyed traveling, wine, fine dining, and music.

A service of remembrance of Russ Adkins will take place on Sunday, November 24 at 1:00PM in the Chapel at Hyde Park United Methodist Church (500 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606). A reception will follow in Knox Hall. If you are unable to attend and would like to view the livestream, please visit Hydeparkumc.org/RussAdkins

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of Russ’s most-loved charities: Habitat for Humanity or the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center.

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