James D. Atkinson, Jr

James D. Atkinson, Jr., age 86, of Litchfield, MN died on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Ecumen Emmanual Home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Interment will be in the Ripley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Litchfield Area Hospice or your family choice. James David Atkinson Jr., the son of James and Florence (Davis) Atkinson, was born on October 29, 1926, in Litchfield, MN. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1944 and served in the US Air Force until he was honorably discharged in 1946. He was united in marriage to Adelaide Kemp on December 16, 1947 in St. Paul, MN and they were blessed with three children; James, Jo Lynn and Jon. When Jim returned to Litchfield, he worked for Johnson Brothers Construction until 1960, when he formed Atkinson Blacktop Service. While Jim helped build Highway 46 that went through Squaw Lake, he fell in love with the area. He bought property on Round Lake where he spent many years enjoying the north country and making lifelong friends. He continued working until 1988 when he sold his business and retired. In 2005, he moved to Squaw Lake. Jim was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, the V.F.W., the Litchfield Flying Club, the Zuhrah Temple of Minneapolis, the Zuhrah Shrine Club of Litchfield, the Masons and the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading, golfing, and spending time with loved ones and dear friends. Jim always had black and yellow hunting labs, and enjoyed goose hunting trips to Canada, elk hunting trips to Montana, and was proud that he shot a 1300 pound Moose by Grygla, MN. He is survived by his two children, James D. (and Carol) Atkinson III of Prescott, AZ and Jo Lynn Spreiter of Litchfield, MN; and her family, John (and Mary) Spreiter and family; Tim (and Joyce) Spreiter and family; Lisa (and Dave) Boss and family; Brian (and Janet) Spreiter and family; grandchildren Darnell Rohne and Jonell Atkinson; sister Shirley Conley; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence; wife, Adelaide; son Jon Atkinson; son-in-law Steve Spreiter and sister Betty Nelson.Previous Events Visitation Tuesday, June 18, 2013 1:00 PM Trinity Episcopal Church 416 North Sibley Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Tuesday, June 18, 2013 2:00 PM Trinity Episcopal Church 416 North Sibley Litchfield, MN 55355