***************
James McAnally Akins was born to Don and Lizzie Akins, on his mother's birthday. He was named for his maternal grandfather James McAnally "Mack" Messer. However, his delayed certificate of birth (dated 1943)has the full name of child as Mack J. Akins.
He was always known as Mack James Akins to family and friends.
Siblings:Ethel,John,Helen,Owen,J.C.,Kathleen and Wilma.
Military: US Army, WWII. Served with Company E, 544th Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment. Hatch Foreman;Expert Infantryman Badge;Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal;Army Occupation Ribbon (Japan);Victory Ribbon;Overseas Service Bar. Honorable Discharge.
Mack was a proud Cherokee citizen. His grandmother (Nancy Alberty Messer);his grandfather (Andrew T. Akins)and his mother and father are listed on the Final Dawes Rolls/Miller Guion Rolls.
Dad had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling made up stories to his children and grandchildren. For example, explaining how the town of Chouteau was named."A little barefoot Indian boy and his Mother were walking down a dirt road when the boy stubbed his toe. The Mother told her son "Show toe" and that's how the town got it's name! The kids would say, "Oh Grandpa" and they would laugh!
He was a lifelong coonhunter,enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboy's football and listening to country music. George Jones was one of his favorite singers.
Mack is survived by his wife, Dee; his three children; seven grandchildren;several great grandchildren as well as many other family members, friends and loved ones.
When I asked my Daddy how he would like to be remembered he replied "I want to be remembered as a "honorable man".
***************
James McAnally Akins was born to Don and Lizzie Akins, on his mother's birthday. He was named for his maternal grandfather James McAnally "Mack" Messer. However, his delayed certificate of birth (dated 1943)has the full name of child as Mack J. Akins.
He was always known as Mack James Akins to family and friends.
Siblings:Ethel,John,Helen,Owen,J.C.,Kathleen and Wilma.
Military: US Army, WWII. Served with Company E, 544th Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment. Hatch Foreman;Expert Infantryman Badge;Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal;Army Occupation Ribbon (Japan);Victory Ribbon;Overseas Service Bar. Honorable Discharge.
Mack was a proud Cherokee citizen. His grandmother (Nancy Alberty Messer);his grandfather (Andrew T. Akins)and his mother and father are listed on the Final Dawes Rolls/Miller Guion Rolls.
Dad had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling made up stories to his children and grandchildren. For example, explaining how the town of Chouteau was named."A little barefoot Indian boy and his Mother were walking down a dirt road when the boy stubbed his toe. The Mother told her son "Show toe" and that's how the town got it's name! The kids would say, "Oh Grandpa" and they would laugh!
He was a lifelong coonhunter,enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboy's football and listening to country music. George Jones was one of his favorite singers.
Mack is survived by his wife, Dee; his three children; seven grandchildren;several great grandchildren as well as many other family members, friends and loved ones.
When I asked my Daddy how he would like to be remembered he replied "I want to be remembered as a "honorable man".
Family Members
-
![]()
Ethel N. Akins McChristy
1909–1990
-
![]()
Sarah Ruth Akins
1911–1912
-
![]()
John Albert Akins
1913–1981
-
![]()
Joe Woodrow Akins
1914–1915
-
![]()
Orville Akins
1915–1918
-
![]()
Helen Pauline Akins McCoy
1918–2004
-
![]()
Infant Sons Akins
1923–1923
-
![]()
Owen W. Akins
1924–1986
-
![]()
PFC Justin Curtis "Jake" Akins
1926–1986
-
![]()
Kathleen Akins Choate
1928–1974
-
![]()
Wilma Down Akins Potter
1930–1981
