Donald Lemar Adkison

Colonel Donald L. Adkison (RET) of Jacksonville, Florida entered into the Church Triumphant on August 21, 2025 at 7:25pm.

Donald was born on August 12, 1938 in Haines City, Florida the son of J.L. and Vardell Adkison. The family lived in Haines City, Florida until 1949 and then moved to Groveland, Florida where Donald finished Groveland High School in June 1956. Donald lettered in football, basketball, baseball, fishing, and hunting throughout high school.

Donald attended Clemson College after high school and then entered the U.S. Army in June 1995. Donald attended Basic Training, Advance Infantry Training, Officer Candidate School, Flight School, and was assigned to the 56th Aviation Detachment in Orleans, France.

Donald met Irmgard in Orleans, France in September 1962. They were married in Bonfeld, Germany, on February 14, 1963. They then lived in Orleans, France until November 1964 when Don was discharged from the U.S. Army. The family lived in Orlando, FL while Donald worked for R.C. Can Company. In June 1965 Donald joined The Florida National Guard. He was hired as military pilot March 1, 1968 and the family moved to Jacksonville where he worked full time in The Florida National Guard. Starting as a Captain, Donald and held all the ranks of an Aviation Officer up to Colonel. He retired in August 1994 from his position as the Army Aviation State Officer.

Donald started his retirement flying for America Share Insurance Company for a year and later Marshall and he started Bonfeld Investment Company and Adkison Towing Company in March 1996. Donald with Marshall started First Coast Road Rangers with the state of Florida in 2007.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Irmgard and his grandchildren Cindy Mattingly and Matthew Bryan. He is survived by his brother: James Lanny Adkison, Ocala, FL; children: Nadia Le Bohec, Jacksonville, FL, Donald Marshall Adkison, Jacksonville, FL, John E. Adkison, Jacksonville FL, Michelle Polcz, Freedom, NY; grandchildren: Heidi Adkison, Jacksonville, FL, Brian Adkison, Jacksonville, FL, Scott G. Kuitems, Jacksonville FL, Leishia Schmockler, Orlando, FL, Cristal Kish, Calahan, FL, Heather Kish, Calahan, FL, Jessie Polcz, Freedom, NY; great-grandchildren: Kayleigh Mattingly, Ohio, CJ Mattingly, Ohio, Cameron Thompson, Ohio and three very special children Anthony (AJ), Lucas, and Sara, Jacksonville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1423 8th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250.

The family will receive visitors before the funeral on August 30th 2025 from 10:00 a.m till 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville Beach. The funeral service will begin at 11:00AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1423 8th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life at 6140 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32226 following the service.

An Honor Ride will take place Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 10 a.m. beginning from Quinn Shalz Funeral Home, 3600 Third Street South Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250 to Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road Jacksonville, Florida 32218.

Interment will take place at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 11 a.m.