TULSA, Okla. – Kenneth Joe Atkins, 74, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, in Tulsa, Okla.

He was born Dec. 31, 1935, to Kenneth Arlen and Josesphine (Williams) Atkins in Chelsea.

He graduated from Skiatook High School. He continued his education at Northeastern State and Oklahoma State University, graduating from OSU in 1960.

He joined the U.S. Army. He began working for Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville and then bought Southwest Gas Equipment in Liberal.

He was a member of the Elks Lodge.

He enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his mother; his companion, Sandra Kilgore, Claremore; sons, Barry Atkins and wife, Tami, of Texas, Joe Atkins and wife, Donna, of Kansas, and Jamie Atkins of Missouri; daughter, Jill Damron of Missouri, six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father; son, Bryan; brother, Terry, and sister, Hallie Ennis.

o Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Musgrove Merriott-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Claremore.

Burial will follow at the Chelsea Cemetery.

Friends may call until 8 p.m. today with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

The memory book may be signed, and the online tribute may be viewed at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com.