James Harold Atkins

A private family service will be held at a later date for James Atkins Sr., 69, of Marshall. James died on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Hospice House of Murray County in Slayton, MN.

James Harold Atkins was born on December 12, 1955, in Slayton, MN, to Harry and Pat (Campbell) Atkins. He was raised on his family's farm, northwest of Slayton, where he attended school. After finishing school, James started his career as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator. James began working for R&G Construction and moved to Marshall, MN, where he met the love of his life, Julie Kennedy and her son Lennis, in the spring of 1992 and moved onto their hobby farm later that year. From this union, daughter, Ashley “zahz/sister", and son, James Jr, “Hambone", were born, completing their blended family. On July 24th, 2010, James and Julie were united in marriage. James and Julie spent their years opening their home up to the multitudes of their children’s friends for pool days, hooking up speaker systems, or just to sit around the fire in the “cowboy corner.”

James was a man of many trades and stories can be told of his talents, from fixing his broken down cars on the side of Highway 30 as an early adult, his ability to build Jules any project she saw on HGTV, to the way he was able to teach and instill kindness, strength, and most importantly, his sense of sarcasm, to his children. James had many hobbies throughout his life; he was most proud of his Harley Davidson motorcycles and after Jules passed, his collection of antique John Deere lawn mowers. He prided himself in his ability to fix and repair almost any motorized object and made sure to pass that pride down to his three children; making sure they all knew how to check oil, change a tire and turn wrenches. James was also passionate about his mallard ducks and his boston terrier dogs. He especially enjoyed spending his time helping Jules garden in the back “40”, spending time with his grandchildren Ethan and Ella (Eenie and Molly), going on poker runs, and spending time with his brother-in-laws, Todd and Tim, endless conversation with friends and co-workers, and working in the garage. James looked like a rough man by his exterior, but had a heart of gold and helped everyone when they needed, always making sure his sparkling vocabulary and sarcasm was at the forefront of his remarks.

After a brief illness, James saddled up his Harley and picked up Jules for their everlasting motorcycle ride. James passed away on May 17, 2025, at Our House Hospice, in Slayton, MN with his three children at his side. He is survived by his son, Lennis (and Kristi “Cupcake") Kennedy of Lynd, daughter, Ashley “zahz/sister" (and Andy) Deuschle of Avoca, son, James Atkins Jr. “Hambone" (and Morgan “Morgie" Hansen) of Marshall, grandchildren, Ethan “Eenie" and Ella “Molly", mother in law, Sharron Miller, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Todd and Deb Blomme, Gwen Paradis, Tim Paradis, Dan (Jen) Miller, and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Julie “Jules", parents Harry and Pat Atkins, father-in-Law Lennis Miller, and his favorite boston girls Harley and Princess.

Riding in Heaven

“He’s up in heaven now, He took that final ride. He’s with the angels now, flying by his side. He’s riding like an eagle, beyond where we can see. He took that final journey, Forever Riding Free.”