Larry Duane Adkins

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Larry “Duane” Adkins, of Hartsburg, MO, on July 21, 2024, from a long battle with COPD.

Duane was born on November 18, 1946, to Lawrence O. and Wanda J. (Rose) Adkins in Storm Lake, IA. The small family soon after returned to Waynesville, MO, (near his mother’s hometown of Dixon) where Duane grew up. 

Being the first-born of three, Duane soon became the babysitter and protector of his younger siblings. Having to answer to the matriarch with a peach tree limb for any misadventures of him and his siblings, as was common in those days, Duane was full of stories about the Adkins kids’ mishaps while growing up. He often recalled these memories, such as when brother Doug fell from a tree (Duane claimed Doug was never the same followed by a wink), to rescuing sister Janet from the frequent unwanted visits of a neighbor who went by “Squirrel.” Squirrel was always trying to hang out with Duane and Doug, and was always paying the price of the Adkins’ brothers’ cantankerous misgivings, such as volunteering to help load hay and disappearing, only to be found by the farmer who insisted the brothers remove Squirrel from among the haystacks.

Duane’s legendary stories also include the time he showed up at the gas station (where a classmate had taken Mom’s car from Doug, refusing to return it to Doug) commanding the friend to place the keys in his hands before he put a knot on his head in front of his friends. Said keys were relinquished without incident.

You see, Duane was always larger than life. As a child, he was a bit pudgy and was teased relentlessly, resulting in a few suspensions at school for fighting, while also establishing Duane’s quick wit in life. He grew into a solid young man and was one of the stars of the Waynesville Senior High football team. Duane assured us that he paid a few former bullies back during football practice.

Being raised on a farm and expected to do chores, Duane surmised, was the equivalent to working out in the gym. Duane always thought his Dad was leery of him after witnessing Duane’s “Rose” temper when a cow refused to load into the trailer, he lifted the thousand pound animal and placed it into the trailer, noticing Dad’s mouth wide open when he finished.

A talented athlete, Duane always regretted passing up the chance to try out for the Boston Red Sox. After finishing a high-school baseball game, a Red Sox scout asked if he was interested in trying out for them, but Duane refused because Dad wanted him to be a football player. And that’s what Duane did. He attended Central Missouri State and played football for two years until he injured his knee in a car wreck the summer before his junior year.

Duane then enlisted in the Navy, becoming a Navy Corpsman. After an honorable discharge, he was enlisted in the Army reserves for almost 10 years.

He also volunteered as a deputy for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s department for numerous years. He loved to tell the crazy stories that accompanied working for law enforcement.

Duane spent much of his career in telecommunications, beginning with United Telephone, later moving on to Sprint, and retiring as an Operations Manager from Windstream in 2013.

Duane’s life and hunting experiences, military training, and civil service prepared him well to be a valued friend and a trusted mentor for friends, family, and co-workers. If you needed help on a house project, if your car wouldn’t start, or if you just needed to talk, he knew just what to do or say.

Duane could hardly wait for the November deer season to spend time in the woods with his dad, his brother, Doug, and his son, Duke. They all loved camping and telling the deer stories every year. 

Duane was a devoted fan of Mizzou football. He also followed the St. Louis Rams when he lived in the St. Louis area, nearly having a stroke during the 2000 Superbowl. Twenty years later, he suffered a heart attack the day after the Chiefs won the 2020 Superbowl. He loved his football!

Duane was first married to Jackie Bivins in 1971. Three children were born of this marriage. Duane was immensely proud of his children, telling countless stories of their rearing. He was especially proud and thrilled to be a grandparent.

 In 1995, Duane married Tammy Grillot Taylor. She survives him of the home. Other survivors include mother-in-law Mary Ellen Grillot, his brother Doug (Debbie), sister Janet Sands, brother-in-law Tim (Janette) Grillot, sisters-in-law Jacqueline Hurd and Janetta (Terry) Zeimetz. Children Duke (Becky) Adkins, Michelle (John) Ross, and Becky Adkins. Grandchildren include Brandon Moore, Wayland Adkins, R.J. Woody, Joey Woody, Fred Johnson, and LaKeysha Whitely Johnson. Step-children include Aron Taylor, Brandon (Jeanne) Taylor, Chelsea (Dan) Rose and step-grandchildren Ethan Sargent, Zoey and Warren Rose, and Tate Taylor. An uncle and two nieces, Kimberly Ann Adkins and Kyla (Josh) Hobson, survive as well. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Francis Grillot, brother-in-law Charlie Sands and an infant great granddaughter.

Cremation will be handled by Robinson-Yager Funeral Home in Ashland, MO. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Faith Baptist Church, 25475 Hwy. 17, Waynesville, MO on August 10, 2024, at 5 pm for his friends & family in Waynesville, MO. A second Celebration of Life will be held at American Legion Post 152, 123 E. Broadway, Ashland, MO on August 17, 2024, at 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Missouri Conservation Wildlife Department in his name.

Condolences may be shared at www.robinsonyagerfh.com.