Donald Talmadge Atkinson, 81, of New Iberia, Louisiana, peacefully passed away March 6, 2018.

Don was born in Vicksburg on May 27, 1936. He graduated from Satartia High School and continued on to receive a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree from Mississippi State University.

Don was married to Jean Knighton on Oct. 24, 1959, in Houma, Louisiana. They were married 58 years.

Don was a longtime resident of Vicksburg, where he worked as a personnel specialist for the US Army Corps of Engineers. He also owned and operated Tingleville Grocery for many years. He lived in Alexandria, Virginia, while he worked at the Pentagon and in Shreveport, Louisiana, while he worked at Barksdale Air Force Base before returning to Vicksburg. He would later have the opportunity to move his family to Bamberg, Germany and Belgium for five years before returning to Vicksburg, where he worked at the Corps of Engineers until his retirement in 1995.

Don’s special interest and hobbies included raising his family, traveling, reading and sports. He cared for God’s creation through planting trees and gardening and spending time with his family and friends. He was a devoted member of the Baptist Church in the various communities where he lived. He enjoyed singing in the church choir, serving as a deacon, usher, or serving wherever and whenever he was called. He was also active in doing volunteer work for many years.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Jean; four children, Donna Jean Stomp and her husband, Rob of Katy, Texas, Ashley Ann Miller and her husband, Edward of New Iberia, Louisiana, Andrew Talmadge Atkinson and his wife, Bree Fowler of New York City, New York and Alan Tyler Atkinson of Ormond Beach, Florida; his eight grandchildren, Ryan, Erik, Mackenzie, Calleigh, Cormac, Allyson, Emilie and Haylie; his sister, Laverne Winn of Tellico Plains, Tennessee; two brothers-in-law, Gerald Knighton and Marlon Knighton; his nieces and nephews; and the rest of his relatives and friends.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, James F. Atkinson and Margaret (Meg) Garnett Atkinson; as well as his siblings, J.F., Garnett Faye, Robert and Ralph; and his in-laws of Vicksburg, Naomi and Wendell G. Knighton.

The Atkinson family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Iberia Medical Center and Hospice of Acadiana for their attentiveness and care during Don’s recent illness.

Don will be remembered by many for his sense of humor, his love for his family and as a caring and kind-hearted man.

To view the guestbook, go to www.acadianfuneralhome.net

Acadian Funeral Home of New Iberia, La., 802 Weldon St., is in charge of arrangements.