CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 LAT G. ADKINS, US ARMY (RETIRED) of Catlettsburg, Ky., passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015, at Community Hospice Care Center after a 13-year battle with cancer. CWO Adkins was born December 3, 1941, in Mud Fork, Logan County, W.Va., a son of the late William Everett and Esta Marie Kirk Adkins. He was also preceded in death by his wife Loretta Carol Bryant Adkins in 2003, his brothers Bill and Garry, and sister Brookie Donahoe. He is survived by three sons, Lat Gerald Adkins Jr and his wife Mary of Oklahoma City, Okla., Jonathon Kevin Adkins and his wife Dovetta of Catlettsburg, and Matthew Kirk Adkins and his wife Monica of Midland, Va.; six grandchildren, Jacob, Jared, Marianna, Jeanna, Jonathon Jr., and Kimber. He is also survived by one sister, Neltha Gibson of Tennessee. Mr. Adkins began his military career in 1959 entering the US Air Force, after four years he left the Air Force and shortly thereafter joined the US Army completing Warrant Officer Basic Course and Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He served overseas tours in the Philippines, Germany and Vietnam. With over 8,000 hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command, Mr. Adkins flew more than 700 combat hours and numerous fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. Lat was decorated many times throughout his military career but was most proud of being considered a Master Army Aviator. He retired with 20 years active duty in 2001 with service in both the regular Army and National Guard. In civilian life Mr. Adkins was the proprietor of the Western Auto Store in Catlettsburg from 1972 until 1985 and after closing the store was one of the first pilots for Healthnet Aeromedical Services at Cabell Huntington Hospital. During his tenure there he responded to hundreds of trauma and medical calls throughout the Tri-State area. Many people today owe their lives to Mr. Adkins and the crews from Healthnet due to their airmanship and professionalism. Lat was a master craftsman as well and his love of building things, fixing things and flying things was unequaled except in comparison to the love he gave his family especially his grandchildren. A funeral service to honor Mr. Adkins will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at the Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home, Panola Street, Catlettsburg. Chaplain Oscar Rose will officiate. Final resting place in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens. Military honors by Kenova Post 93 and the US Army. Visiting hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Adkins' memory to Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101. Condolences may be sent to www.kilgorecollierfuneralhome.com.