Jimmy Ray Adkins

Jimmy Ray Adkins was born the youngest of five to Clyde and Goldie Davenport Adkins in Henderson, Kentucky, on March 18, 1942. The Adkins farm on Airline Road, the Family Farm, was a source of great pride for him. He often told stories of his parents and remained close to his siblings throughout his life.

Jimmy graduated from The University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture in 1965. During his time in Lexington, he met the love of his life, Louise Barger. They married on February 9, 1965, in Jellico, Tennessee.

Jimmy secured his first job in Parks and Recreation at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Kentucky. He loved Kentucky basketball and football and was a die-hard fan his whole life. He loved the outdoors, nature, and birds. He had a calling for helping to build parks and trails for people to enjoy the things he loved most.

Jimmy continued in Parks and Recreation, moving to Indiana, PA. Not long afterwards, his son, Christopher Ray, arrived in 1966. His daughter, Tina, arrived in 1971 while he was finishing up his Parks and Recreation career and switching gears to real estate in Ohio.

He began small at Shelmar Trailer Park and KG Shaw Real Estate. This humble beginning was destined to grow into something much bigger.

Jimmy held himself to the highest standards in every area of his life. He was a true Southern gentleman. He had a sound moral compass and a sense for people and business, which he followed throughout his lifetime and which served him well.

Jimmy loved adventure and vacationing and began searching for a place to raise his family and call his home. He settled on Naples, Florida, in 1977.

Jimmy soon became a founding partner of the Florida office of North American Properties, a multimillion-dollar Real Estate Investment and Development Firm. He led the development of over 40 shopping centers throughout the Southeastern United States, primarily anchored by Publix Supermarkets.

He was recognized throughout the entire development community for his sincerity and integrity and will always be respected and admired for his relationship-building approach and his ability to bring people together.

Jimmy had the gift of generosity. If you were his family or friend, then you will recall Jimmy calling you often and asking, “What can I do for you?” He took people on vacations to places they had never seen. He gifted more than he ever took, and if you were lucky enough to be loved by Jimmy, you knew it and felt it to your core.

The unconditional love he had for Louise knew no bounds. He would do anything to make her smile. They adventured together in almost every state during their 59 years together.

He always took time for his children—traveling with them, swimming, taking one of two boats, “Joint Venture” or “Serendipity,” out fishing, hunting, or just going fast.

He loved running, tennis, hiking, and being outside. He owned many fine cars in his life and often said that if he didn’t do real estate, he would have been a race car driver.

His life was full, and he looked at every day as a new adventure and opportunity. He and Louise always had beautiful homes, and they loved to open that space up and share it with his ever-growing family, full of grandchildren.

He was so proud of the family he had built and the beautiful life he selflessly created and shared with us.

His lessons, his smile, the way he always made you feel important, his positive attitude, and his love will never be forgotten and will live on in all whom he loved.

Jimmy passed away in Providence, Utah, in the loving care of his daughter, grandson, and granddaughter, on September 27, 2026.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Goldie Adkins; his brothers, Junior and Donnie; his sisters, Delores and Joyce; his grandson, Dorian; and his beautiful wife, Louise.

He is survived by his son, Christopher Ray Adkins, and wife, Misty, and daughter, Kayelanni; his daughter, Tina Adkins, and husband, Rhett; and his grandchildren, Gavin Adkins, Kayley Adkins, Kristin Adkins, Greer Durdak, Braeden Durdak, and Connor Finger.

He also leaves many nieces and nephews in his hometown of Henderson, Kentucky.