Obituary: James Dale ‘Jim’ Akin, 77, Bardstown
James Dale “Jim” Akin, 77, of Bardstown, died Tuesday Oct. 4, 2016, at University of Louisville Hospital. He was born Feb. 4, 1939, in Green County. He was a graduate of Magnolia High School, where he received many honors for his basketball abilities. He married his teen sweetheart Sandra Wright, on Dec. 20, 1958. He loved his God, his country, church, and family. His passion was serving his community as a firefighter for 35 years, including 12 years as fire chief for the Bardstown-Nelson County Volunteer Fire Department. He was easily identified by his fire red suspenders.
He was the 1995 Nelson County Citizen of the Year. He was past president of the Dixie Firefighters Association, a state fire marshal, served his state and country in the Kentucky National Guard and the Army Reserve. He served his church (Bardstown United Methodist Church) as a Sunday school teacher, and served on many church committees. He worked 45 years in the natural gas department of Louisville Gas & Electric Co.
He was a founding member of the Nelson County Jaycees, a Master Mason in Duvall Lodge No. 6, past president of the Bardstown City School Band Boosters and an avid band parent.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Booker and Mary Sullivan Akin; and one brother, Gary Akin.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Wright Akin of Bardstown; two daughters, Shelly Jean (Dr. David) Gordon of Cincinnati and Melissa Akin-Reynolds of Bardstown; one son, James Lin (Melly) Akin of Hamilton, Kan.; two brothers, William (Alberta) Akin of Murray and Douglas (Sherry) Akin of Magnolia; and one granddaughter, Meagan Reynolds of Louisville.
The funeral is 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, at the Bardstown United Methodist Church with burial in the Bardstown Cemetery with the Rev. Scott C. Stith officiating.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, at Barlow Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may go to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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