James M. Atkinson P.E. passed away in his home with his family by his side on Friday, April 23, 2021, after battling a long illness with Parkinson's.

He was born February 13, 1943 in Shreveport, LA, the 3rd of 5 children from Jerry and Patricia Atkinson. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Evansville, IN, where he discovered his love for collecting toy cars. His family moved to Tulsa, OK, to began his Junior year at Cascia Hall where he graduated in 1961. He attended Notre Dame and Oklahoma State University where he earned an Architectural Engineering degree from OSU.

He started his own company Atkinson Engineering in the '70s where he became a highly respected engineer in the Tulsa Metro area for many years and became an icon in the home inspection industry. He had a great sense of humor, smart wit, and never complained about working hard or his illness as it progressed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Martha Riffe; and his sister, Shea Pizarro.

He is survived by his wife, Zehra Atkinson; his brother, Bernard Atkinson from Baton Rouge, LA; and his 2 sisters, Ann Kinsinger-Trotter from Ponca City and Mary V. Atkinson from Eufala; his 3 sons, Jerry, James and Bennett Atkinson; his 2 stepchildren, Ty Ertugrul and Berna Davis; and his 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held on 10 am, Saturday, May 1st, at Fitzgerald's Southwood Colonial Chapel at 3612 E. 91st St. So.

Donations can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org < http://www.parkinson.org/ >