Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 21, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Robert Garland Atkins, Jr., was an affectionate, dedicated, and hard-working man.  With sadness in our hearts, we share his passing.  He was born September 25, 1946, and died Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Born and raised in Danville, VA, to Robert Garland Atkins and Kathryn (Jones) Atkins, Bob had a passion for sports and excelled in baseball and football at George Washington High School.  After graduation, he was excited to take on his next adventure at Wake Forest University.  He continued to play baseball there until his academics took a beating, so he decided to focus on his studies instead.  He joined the fraternity Delta Sigma Phi and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business administration.   Bob then went on to complete his MBA at the University of Georgia.

Shortly after, he met the love of his life, Jane.  They married in 1971, knowing each other only a few months.  They settled in Winston Salem where he embarked on his career with Ernst & Young as a CPA.  They then moved to Charlotte, NC, where he started his extensive banking career with NCNB.

Bob loved spending time with his children and was at every event of their lives.  He endured rough winters on the Appalachian Trail with his son enjoying every freezing second of the Scouting experience.  He was always at the pool late nights supporting Jana on the sidelines throughout her swim team years, no matter how big and bad the mosquitoes were.

Traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren gave him some of his proudest and happiest moments.  He always showed his children the importance of hard work and continued his education earning more degrees including a Master’s Degree in Tax.  Bob decided enough was enough when the students got quiet when he walked into the lecture hall because they thought he was the professor rather than a student.  He turned his passion for learning towards his children as he supported them through Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Before retiring Bob spent 15 years in Central America as a Controller for Garan Manufacturing.  He not only worked there but loved the culture.  He established long lasting friendships and became a skilled Salsa dancer.

Bob’s memory will remain in the hearts of his family, friends, and all of those who were honored to have had the privilege of knowing him.  He is survived by his wife, Jane, of 53 years; son, Brett Atkins and his wife, Hilary and their two children, Andrew and Caroline of Sarasota, FL; and daughter, Jana (Atkins) Tune and her husband, Adam and their two children, Savannah Grace and Kinsley of Charlotte, NC. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in the Francis Chapel at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Bob to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.