Robert Akins

Obituary

Robert Charles Akins (87), of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, went home to the Lord on Friday, March 21, 2025. Bob was born on November 30, 1937 at his aunt’s home in Youngstown, Ohio, to Carl and Florence Akins.

The family moved to Orlando Florida when Bob was 6 years old where he spent the rest of his childhood until joining the United States Air Force in April 1958. He served our country as a Radio Frequency Transmission Systems Specialist until June 1962. After returning Orlando, he met and married the love of his life, Kay Houser while attending College Park United Methodist Church. Shortly after they raised 2 children, Scott and Kim, in Winter Park, Florida.

Bob continued working several jobs and opening a telecommunications business that ultimately was acquired by Nextel Communications, as a telecommunications engineer and manager. Outside of work, Bob enjoyed playing tennis, participating in water sports, flying his plane, going on vacations, riding his motorcycle, and playing several musical instruments, primarily the guitar. Music was one of his passions and reflected early on by forming a band called the Checkmates with his brother Dave, then another band while in the Air Force. Bob was also an active member of College Park United Methodist, Killarney Baptist and Coronado Community United Methodist churches. Bob always found time to volunteer to help others and the community such as a high school mentor, leading worship services at nursing homes, delivering meals on wheels, mission trips with his church and helping seniors file their taxes through AARP. He was an active member of his church home where he served as deacon, sang in the choir and played the guitar in the praise band. In 2005, he moved to New Smyrna Beach to be closer to family and found a special set of friends who he regularly went out to breakfast and also visited over 40 states in the US and over 30 countries.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Florence Akins, his sister’s Rose Kerr and Louise Bower, his brother’s David Akins, Al Akins, Carl Akins, Jr., and Lee Corey.

Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kay Akins; his son, Scott Akins (Tina); his daughter, Kim Lemus (Bob); grandson, Michael Akins (Tabi); granddaughter, Jaelyn Weiden (Jerry); grandson, Jacob Lemus; granddaughter, Ashley Lemus; step-grandson’s, Jowel Santo Domingo (Ericca); Jeremy Santo Domingo, Jered Cunningham (Megan); Jordan Cunningham; Cameron Webber; great grandchildren, Henry, Josie, Sincere, JJ, Z, Skylar, Jax; step great grandchildren, Izabel, JJ, Cam, Mateja, Chase and Miles; brother Lee Akins (Barbara) and Marti Miller.

Services for Bob will be held at Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, FL on Monday, March 31, 2025 with the viewing starting at 10:30am and service at 11:00am. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, we will be laying Bob to rest at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor: by check at Coronado Community United Methodist Church 201 South Peninsula Ave. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 re:Robert Akins memorial music department or online at coronadoumc.org (music fund).

Visitation: Coronado Community United Methodist Church 201 S. Peninsula Ave. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169

March 31, 2025 10:30

Service: March 31, 2025 11:00

reception following in the fellowship hall

Cemetery:

April 1, 2025 10:00

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery