Class of 1969
1969 Maroon Spotlight
Robert Adkins
Band 65-69; Band Vice Pres. 67-68; Band Pres. 68-69; Tri-State Mass Band 66 – 69; Thespians 67- 69; F. T. A, 68-69; Thespian Play 67-68; All School Revue 66-67; Band Ensembles 66- 69; District Honor Band 66- 67; Basketball 68- 69; Baseball 68- 69
1969 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
President of the Perry high school band this year is Robert David Adkins, 17, son of Mrs. Mary Belle Adkins, 231 Ivanhoe street. He was born Sept. 1, 1951, in Perry. He has been a member of the band since 1965 and was vice president of the group last year. He has earned superior and excellent rating as a trombonist in district, state, Edmond, Pawnee, and Tri-State contests. He was chosen for the Tri-State mass band twice, and conducted a number by the PHS band at the spring concert May 8. Robert also has participated in basketball, track, Thespians, and Future Teachers. His favorite subject is music, and “practicing my trombone” is his hobby. He plans to attend Central State college after working this summer in Nebraska.
Robert David Adkins
September 1, 1951 — July 15, 2026
Robert Adkins, 74, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home, on July 15, 2026 in Tulsa Oklahoma. He had undergone heart bypass surgery in recent years. He and his wife had recently relocated from their home in Northern California to Tulsa.
Born September 1st, 1951 in Perry Oklahoma, he was the son of Mrs. Mary Belle Adkins. He graduated from Perry High School in 1969 and attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater majoring in radio and TV. He performed with several popular bands including Harlem Riot, Tank’s Barn, and O-K-L-A lending his voice, trombone, and drums to the stage.
His musical career continued in Las Vegas, Nevada and Northern California where he played at Lake Tahoe with the Cedro Willie Band and Headlines, both local and regional favorites.
Robert’s love of entertainment carried over into his career where he held supervisory positions for many years in Guest Relations at two NFL stadiums, working 15 seasons for the Denver Broncos and 3 seasons for the San Francisco 49ers.
Known to many as “Popcorn,” Robert had a gift for making people feel welcome. He will be remembered for his music, his warmth, and the joy he brought to everyone around him, whether on stage, in a stadium on game day, or spending time with the friends and family who loved him.
Survivors include: his wife, Kay; daughters, Ciara Adkins and Jessica Ervin-Adkins; grandchildren; Ze’Za Maxwell and Cassius Crow; son-in-law, and John Crow all of Denver, Colorado; and his mother-in-law, Billye Davidson of Tulsa. He is also survived by his nephew Bob Cain and his wife Sandra of Cypress, Texas as well as other family members in Oklahoma and Texas.
Robert was preceded in death by his mother Mary Bell Adkins, his grandmother Ethel Rae Polk, and his grandfather Lee Polk all of Perry. He was also preceded by his five older siblings Ethel Mae Caine, Frank Adkins Jr., Napolean Adkins, Raymond Adkins, and James Jenkins.
A celebration of life will be held at 4:00pm, Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the Moore Southlawn Chapel.