Fred J. Adkins of Elkridge, Maryland passed away peacefully at his home on September 27, 2025. Born on July 7, 1940, in Tom’s Creek, Virginia, he was the beloved son of the late Dock Martin and Gladys Lucille Adkins.

Fred grew up in Jenkins, Kentucky, where he graduated from Jenkins High School before proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force. Stationed in Newfoundland as a radar operator. He met the love of his life, Barbara Layne, when they were 11 years old. They married in 1960 in a ceremony officiated by Barbara’s father, Reverend Carl Layne. Fred and Barbara were married nearly 65 years.

After his military service, Fred settled in Maryland and Ohio, where he raised his family. He began his career with Western Auto as a store manager and advanced to Regional Sales Manager. In the 1980s, while living in Westminster, Maryland, Fred joined Ace Hardware as a sales manager. His career took him to Chicago, where he became the company’s first Northern International Business Development Manager, traveling the hemisphere globe to establish the International Sales Department.

Fred was a proud Master Mason with Mount Moriah Lodge No. 116 AF+AM in Towson, Maryland. He also dedicated many years of service to the Oriole Advocates and was honored as a Kentucky Colonel.

In retirement, Fred and his devoted wife, Barbara, spent 10 joyful years traveling the country by motorhome, making lasting memories together.

Fred was preceded in death by his sisters, Sharon Adkins and Phylis Dupee, both of Taylor, Michigan; brother, Jerry Wayne Adkins of Round Lake, Posford, MN.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Lee Adkins, his daughters, Cynthia D. Adkins and her husband Kent Edel of Chase, Maryland, and Carla Elise and her husband Michael Mitchell of Columbia, Maryland; and his brother, Charles Dock Adkins, and his wife Lila of Louisville, Kentucky, Many special nieces and nephews including Autumn Layne and her husband Eric of Staunton, VA.

A committal service will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery – 11501 Garrison Forest Rd, Owings Mills, Maryland.