Judge Henry Atkinson Jr. 's Obituary
Former Gregg County Judge Henry Troy Atkinson Jr. went home to be with our Lord Tuesday evening, May 27, 2014. He was greatly loved by his family, but we rejoice in his life and in his victory.
Henry Atkinson was born to Henry Troy and Bertha Rodgers Atkinson on April 15, 1925 in Hartsville, South Carolina. He was a graduate of Summerville South Carolina High School, and was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944 until 1947. He completed his education at the University of Texas, receiving a Doctors of Jurisprudence in 1952.
He fell in love with and married Marilyn Sanders of Texarkana, Texas in 1947, and moved to Longview in 1952 as a partner in the Jack Strong Law Firm. He served the citizens of Longview and Gregg County as Longview City Judge from 1956 until 1966, and Gregg County Judge from 1967 until 1991. He always had a love for horses and started his family ranch in 1969 at Lake Cherokee and was known in the Quarterhorse world as a breeder of quality horses. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Longview and raised his family there. After the passing of his wife Marilyn, he married the former Bobbie Arnold of Texarkana in 1991 and the couple resided at Lake Cherokee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his wife Marilyn. He is survived by his wife Bobbie Arnold Atkinson, sons, Drew Atkinson and wife Terri of Greenville, Texas, Daryl Atkinson and wife Lori of Longview Texas, sister Collene Atkinson Weaver of Atlanta Georgia, grandchildren Blair Atkinson of Longview, Marc Atkinson and Stacie Hodel of Greenville, as well as Great grandchildren Andrew Hodel, Emma Hodel, and Juniper Atkinson all of Greenville. Also surviving are Bobbie’s children and grandchildren, Daughter-in-law and son: Ashley and Greg Arnold of Dallas, TX, Daughter: Renee' Arnold of Texarkana, TX, Daughter-in-law: Shelly Arnold of Texarkana, TX, Grandchildren: Anthony Arnold and Jordan and Bowen Hendrix of Fort Worth, TX, Regan Arnold of Texarkana, TX, and Carsen Kunzman of Dallas, TX. Bobbie's Sister, Dr. Jauquita Hargus of Texarkana, TX, and her children, Karen & Michael Cronin of Pala Heights, IL and Kathy & Donnie Powers of Henderson, TX.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Longview at 11:00 am, Monday June 2nd under direction of Rader Funeral Home. The family asks that those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Alliance 100 Memory Lane, Texarkana, TX 75503 or to a favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
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