Owen Alfred "Red" Atkinson, 83, of Hart County, died Wednesday, February 21, 2007 in Blue Ridge, GA at the home of his daughter, surrounded by his entire family. Born in the Reed Creek community of Hartwell, he was the son of the late Owen Ayers Atkinson and Norvan Cleveland Atkinson also of Hartwell. He was a retired production scheduler for Owens Coming Fiberglass of Anderson, South Carolina.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Patricia King Atkinson; daughters, son and their families: Kathy Atkinson Mann, husband Darrell Mann; grandsons: Joseph Owen Mann, wife Jennifer Mann, great-grandchildren, Faith and Noah; William Lee Mann, wife Lauren Mann, all of Blue Ridge, GA. Sheryl Atkinson Baggett, husband Chip Baggett of Suwanee, GA; granddaughters and grandson: Audrey Leigh Baggett of Atlanta, GA, John Patrick Baggett, Ann Marie Baggett, and Katherine Elizabeth Baggett all of Athens, GA. David Owen Atkinson, wife Tina Lecroy Atkinson; grandsons: Adam Owen Atkinson and Thomas David Atkinson, all of Hartwell, GA. Robin Elizabeth Atkinson Parr, husband Dan Parr; grandsons: Daniel Loyd Parr, Jr. and William Michael Parr, all of Gainesville, GA. Sister, Helen Atkinson Bailey of Anderson, SC and brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Ann Atkinson of Hartwell, GA. Brother-in-law and wife, Al and Barbara King of Clermont, GA. Sister-in-law and husband, Kathy and Paul Payne of Laurel, MD, as well as a plethora of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Atkinson was born in Hartwell, Georgia, January 29, 1924. A child of the Great Depression, his family moved to Tampa, Florida where Red spent most of his childhood. Upon return to Hart County, Reed Creek Community, he attended Hartwell High School where he graduated at age 17 in 1941. Red was a wide receiver and safety on the
Hartwell High School football team. Upon graduation, Red attended Mercer University until WWII, when he enlisted in the US Navy. Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Red Atkinson served on the deck force of the USS Knapp in the Pacific Theatre. While serving as a rescue swimmer, he saved many lives, retrieving stranded sailors and airmen. Furthermore, Red was in Tokyo Bay on the day in which Japan signed the surrender, ending WWII. After WWII, he married and made his home in the Reed Creek community. Through the years Red was very active in his community and church. He served as Moderator of the Hebron Baptist Association, was appointed to the Hart County School Board, and was elected as Hart County Commissioner. He was instrumental in starting the district Hebron Baptist Association Youth Basketball league. Red also believed strongly in missions, coordinating and building many churches and homes for various communities throughout the US. After retirement from Owens Coming Fiberglass, he continued to work until age 80 in the Lawn and Garden department for Wal-Mart in Hartwell.
Three years ago, he began his battle with leukemia, "fighting the good fight" until his death. A Memorial Service was held at the Chapel of Strickland Funeral Home, Hartwell, GA, Saturday, February 24,2007, at 2:00 PM. Interment at Sharon Presbyterian Church. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Harbor Ministries, P.O. Box 388, McCaysville, GA 30555 or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.