Theodore Ted Adkins

Theodore "Ted" Wood Adkins, of Tulsa, passed away at home on Friday, October 20, 2017. He was born July 31, 1942, in Austin, Minnesota to Steven and Ruth Adkins and grew up in Vermillion, SD. He graduated from Vermillion High School in 1960, then attended Augustana College for one year before transferring to South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. There he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and was an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate in 1965. He served four years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including a year in Vietnam, and rose to the rank of captain. Ted was awarded a bronze star for meritorious service and the air medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. He completed the jungle operations course in Panama and parachute school. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1969, Ted took a west coast sales position with Link-Belt, a crane manufacturer in Cedar Rapids, IA, and, during that time, earned an MBA from Pepperdine University. He was promoted to National Accounts Manager for FMC-Link-Belt Division in 1975 and relocated to the Chicago area; he later became a Regional Sales Manager. In 1980, Ted accepted the position of Vice President for Sales & Marketing with RO Corporation, a manufacturer of boom trucks in Olathe, KS. He came to Tulsa, OK in 1983 to become Vice President –Marketing & Sales for Unit Rig, manufacturer of off-highway haul trucks for the mining industry. Ted and two partners formed Lode, Inc., in 1988, supplying used, rebuilt, and remanufactured equipment to the mining industry; the company also opened a John Deere lawn and garden dealership in Okmulgee, OK. In 1993, Ted fulfilled his lifelong dream of starting his own business, ADCO, Inc., and spent the next fifteen years involved in the purchase and sales of used and rebuilt haul trucks and component parts. In 1965, Ted married his first wife, Patricia Martin, and they had three daughters: Susan Lynn, Pamela Jean, and Katherine Diane. On March 24, 1978, he married Barbara Halsted, and they had one son, Theodore "Teddy" Halsted. Growing up, Ted was in Boy Scouts, was active in his church youth group, joined Triangle fraternity in college, and became a member of Shriners International. Ted never met a sport he didn’t like and played football, basketball and baseball in high school and went on to play football and basketball in college. He was also an excellent swimmer and life guarded during the summers. He was the U.S. Army National Handball champion in 1969, and won many trophies in corporate golf and tennis tournaments. His lifelong love of hunting began when his family went “road hunting” pheasants, but his mother was actually the one who nurtured his interest when the two of them would go pheasant hunting from the time he was about 11. As a teenager, he spent hours duck hunting on the Missouri River with his high school buddy. Ted was probably happiest when he went on elaborately planned duck, goose and pheasant hunting expeditions with his beloved Champ, his son, his son’s friends, sons-in-law, grandsons, brother-in-law, nephews, or cousin. Throughout his son’s childhood and teen years, Ted spent many hours as an assistant rec soccer coach, Cub Scout Master, and Boy Scout leader. In later years, Ted loved being involved in Therapy Dogs International with Champ. Other interests or pastimes that peaked at different times were playing bridge, reading adventure thrillers, boating and fishing, and expending enormous energy in making his yard a showplace. He loved his family fiercely and treated his wife like a queen; they particularly treasured the trips they took to Wyoming, Hawaii, Great Britain, and China. As far as Ted was concerned, bigger was always better, and he really did know something about almost everything. Ted is remembered for being extraordinarily generous, the life of the party, for his unique brand of humor, and his indomitable spirit. He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara Halsted Adkins, daughters Susan Garmon and husband Christopher, Pamela Clinard and husband Gregory, Katherine Gallagher and husband John; son Theodore “Teddy” Adkins and wife Becky; grandchildren Mitchell Hardy, Tyler Garmon, Emily Garmon, Nicholas Clinard, Allyson Clinard, Megan Robart, Thomas Adkins, Liam Adkins, Ryan Adkins, and Morgan Adkins; brother Michael Adkins and wife Patti; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Steven Marcus Adkins and Ruth Wood Adkins, and a sister, Karen Ruth Adkins. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors and staff at the St. Francis Trauma 2 Clinic and to Dr. James Burleson, and special appreciation and love to Denise Marsh, faithful caregiver and friend. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Sharp Chapel on the campus of The University of Tulsa. Memorial donations will go to Ted’s favorite charity, the U.S. Marines local Toys for Tots Campaign, or Biscuit Acres, where Ted spent many hours with his sweet Lily. Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel. 918-291-3500.

Theodore Ted Adkins

July 31, 1942 - October 20, 2017