Fred Adkins, 79
With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Ernest Frederick Adkins Jr on June 15, 2023.
He passed away from a spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage after a seven-year battle with a-fib/congestive heart failure in Kalispell, surrounded by family and friends.
He was a kind-hearted and loving person who touched the lives of everyone he met and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He was born January 14, 1944, and raised in Livingston. After graduating from Park County High in 1962, he began a lifelong career in the railroad and retired from BNSF in 2004.
He was a proud member of the AFL/CIO union and was a vocal supporter of unions. He served in the Army National Guard from 1966-1971.
In 1970, Fred and his wife, the former Mary Carlisle, moved to Kalispell, where they raised their three sons.
Fred and Mary were divorced in 1992. He was also married to Julie Joseph from 1995 to 2011.
He spent winters in Kona, Hawaii, and summers in Kalispell, for the past decade.
He had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed being outside, especially in the Pacific Northwest and spent many hours pursuing this passion.
He was an avid jogger, runner, hiker, and cyclist. He enjoyed camping, kayaking, and spending time in Glacier National Park.
In his retirement, he enjoyed discovering his artistic talents in pottery, watercolors, painting, and photography. He loved spending time with his family and countless friends.
Whether traveling to new places or simply spending winters in Hawaii or summers in Montana, he took great pride in his "aloha" spirit, newly-discovered vegan lifestyle, and his family. Especially his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments.
He will be remembered for his kind and accepting spirit, infectious laugh, quirky sense of humor, artistic flair, and ability to make friends and connect with people.
He was a true inspiration to all who knew him, and his memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched.
He is survived by his three sons, Greg (and Lori) Adkins of Kalispell; Kurt (and Katy) Adkins of Kalispell; and Brad of Portland, Oregon. He had three grandchildren, Zac (and Dusty, and great-granddaughter Leslie) of Kalispell; Brock (and his fiance Natalie) of Bloomfield, Connecticut; and Mac (who will be attending the University of Arizona this fall). He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Adkins of Livingston; as well as relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Rose Adkins; his only brother, Ernie; his older sister, Florence; and countless aunts, uncles, and extended family.
Please join us in celebrating Fred's life at 3 p.m. on July 21, at the Village Greens Community Center, 195 Nicklaus Avenue, Kalispell.
His family will later spread his ashes in Glacier National Park and in Kona, Hawaii, his two favorite places in the world.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Northwest Rails to Trails, a group he has volunteered for since the 80s, P.O. Box 1103, Kalispell, MT 59903. Or The Donkey Mill Art Center, a place he spent time perfecting his ceramic talent, 78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, Hawaii 96725.
Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.