[KYHAM] Ky "SAR Czar" Passes Away

[Ron Dodson]

I was shocked to receive the following in today's e-mail.  Dave Adkinson was a good friend and a major player in the SAR field. Dave was a one of a kind fellow. He will be sorely missed.

73,
Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
Ky SEC 
Meade County EMA
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FRANKFORT - David Myron Adkinson, 59, died Tues., Oct. 5, 2004 at Hospice
Care Center, Lexington. He was born July 30, 1945 in Harrodsburg to the late
Lee Olan and Margaret Ann Sims Adkinson. A 1963 graduate of Harrodsburg High
School, attended Eastern Kentucky University and Kentucky State University.
He served with the U.S. Navy. A member of Cornishville Christian Church
where he had served as a Deacon, Elder, Vocalist and Song Leader. In recent
years, he attended Jessamine Christian Church in Nicholasville. He served as
Driver Improvement Officer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky from August
1968-April 1972. In March 1973, while employed as a fireman for the City of
Harrodsburg, he was appointed the first director of emergency ambulance
services sponsored jointly by the Harrodsburg and Mercer County Governments.
>From 1976-1980, he was a Field Representative for the Emergency Medical
Services Branch of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, he was named
the Coordinator for Search and Rescue Programs. Affectionately known as the
"Sar Czar" Adkinson oversaw the distribution of grant monies to Kentucky
Rescue Squads. He and his co-instructor, Norman Lawson, taught search and
rescue techniques across the Commonwealth for over 17 years. A three year
member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Search and
Rescue, Adkinson was a proponent of specialized training for specific
rescues, such as swift water, underground, and rugged terrain. He retired
from Emergency Management Administration, Kentucky Department of Military
Affairs in October 2000. He was employed in the Emergency Medical Services
Branch of the University of Kentucky Athletics Department from 1974-1998 and
the Lexington Civic Center from 1977-1998. His duties included driving the
Firs-Aid Cart and serving as an Emergency Medical Technician for U.K.
Athletic events and Rupp Arena events. After his retirement, he was employed
by the Message Center for the Legislative Research Commission. Being a
direct descendant of Union Soliders who fopught with the 9th Kentucky
Calvary at Battle of Perryville during the Civil War, he was the past Post
Commander and the present Department Commander for the Sgt. Elijah Marrs,
Camp 5, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. He was also the past
Adjutant for the Sons of the Union Veterans Reserve and the current
Secretary-Treasurer of the Kentucky Commandery of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion of the United States. He is survived by his wife of 37 years,
Kandie Prather Adkinson, Frankfort. One Son Travis Scott and his wife Kim
"Whaley" Adkinson of Lexington. Three grandaughters Kayla Grace, Hannah Rose
and Caroline Elizabeth Adkinson. One brother Ronald Lee Adkinson and his
wife Cathy of Orlando, FL. And several nieces and nephews. Four aunts Doris
Sims, Boyle County, Hilda Sims, Mercer County, Mary K. Drury, Harrodsburg
and Mary Louise Adkinson Biloxi, Ms. And a host of cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted 11 am Sat. at Alexander & Royalty Funeral
Home. Graveside services will be conducted at Grapevine Christian Church
Cemetery by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, SVR, and MOLLUS.
Visitation 4-9 pm Fri., and after 7 am Sat., at Alexander & Royalty Funeral
Home. Memorials may be made to any rescue squad, search dog association or
the Marcus & Josephine Prather Scholarship Fund. Guestbook at Legacy.com 
Published in the Lexington Herald-Leader on 10/8/2004.