Jim Atkinson Obituary

Jim A. Atkinson was born September 13, 1942 in Sugarland, Texas to Harvey and Sylvia Faeris Atkinson. He passed February 19, 2024 at Neuvant House of Lawrence, Lawrence, Kansas where he was a resident since January 2023.

Jim was raised in LaMarque, Texas. After graduating high school he attended the University of Houston graduating June 6, 1967, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacology and the Texas Board Certification in Pharmacy.

He married Lynda Brown August 22, 1964 and divorced in 1993. They had three children together, James Robert (JB), Jana and Alyssa.

He was a practicing Pharmacist in Houston, Texas for eight years before going into sales for a major pharmaceutical company.

In 1987 he moved to Overland Park, KS where he was employed by JRH Biosciences as Director of Sales. After six years of sitting behind a desk he decided to rejoin the sales force in 1993.

He met his wife Sondra (Sandee) and they married December 29th, 1995.

They moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 2002 to better serve his clients.

In 2005 they moved to Spokane, Washington. He retired from JRH in 2007. It was always his dream to be in the Pacific Northwest, closer to the mountains. He enjoyed traveling and we had visited all 50 states as well as some international travel.

We moved back to Lawrence, KS in September 2021 to be closer to Sandee's family.

Jim enjoyed watching most spectator sports, especially college sports. The Houston Cougars and the Kansas Jayhawks were at the top of his list. He also followed the Houston Astros and the KC Chiefs. He loved playing golf and walked the course six days a week, even at 80 years of age. He introduced a few of our grandsons to the game and enjoyed playing golf with them.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Sylvia; three brothers Winston, Lee and Glenn Atkinson; one sister Yvonne Louise Atkinson Horner.

Jim is survived by his wife Sondra (Sandee) Atkinson of the home.

Three children: James (JB) Atkinson and wife Shelley, Anchorage, Alaska; Jana Atkinson Stafford and husband Kevin, Houston, Texas; Alyssa Atkinson Frahm and husband Tim, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Two stepchildren: Brian Pickel and wife Lisa, Lawrence, Kansas; Kimberly Pickel Housworth and husband Bill, Topeka, Kansas. Fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, also many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned at Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Dr., in Lawrence, Kansas on July 27, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Service begins at 1:30 p.m. followed by a meal at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jim's memory to Alzheimer's Association, act.alz.org

Jim was a very loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was the love of my life and I will keep him in my heart always. He will be greatly missed.