Peter L. Akers, Jr., 86, of Florence, died Monday, September 29, 2014.
The celebration of his life will be held Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the Elkins Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Anna P. Brawley officiating. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until service time. He will be buried in the Akers family plot in Greenview Memorial Park beside his son and daughter.
Pete was born in Roanoke, Virginia and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from the School of Engineering in 1950 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Va. Tech.) where he served as the President of the VPI Corps of Cadets. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Army during the Korean War. He and his family moved to Florence in 1957 as he began work as an engineer at Reynolds Metals Company, Sheffield. He worked there until his retirement in 1991.
Pete shared his time with many organizations being an active volunteer for Safeplace, Past President of the Mental Health Association, active Board Member of The Shoals Symphony, the Shoals Theatre, Past President of the Florence Lions Club, and the Homeless Care Council.
He served on many committees, President of the congregation, and a founding member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He was currently a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Pete is survived by his wife of 64 years Midge Akers; daughter Mary Lynn Jackson and husband Greg of Florence, their children Stacey Tapscott and husband Brad and their sons Bradley and Andrew, Jim Steele and wife Jackie of Knoxville, Phillip Steele of Birmingham, and Rachael Jackson of Florence; son Peter L. Akers, III and wife Rhonda of Killen, and their children Piper N., Rylee Lillian, James Luke and Amelia Lee; brother-in-law Richard Davis and his family Debbie, Julie, Richie, Bev and Bob.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father Lillian and Peter L. Akers, Sr., brother Cpl. James F. Akers, son James H. Akers, MD, daughter Lillian “Donnie” Akers, sister-in-law Mary Alice Davis, and brother-in-law Billy Woods.
Pallbearers will be Jim Steele, Phillip Steele, Luke Akers, Greg Jackson, Brad Tapscott, and Tom Ledbetter. Honorary bearers will be John Hicks, Steve Eck, Patrick Hood, Billy Elkins, Selwin Jones, Dave DeWolfe, and friends from Reynolds..
The family offers their special thanks to Drs. Ricky Irons and Felix Morris, Hospice of the Shoals, especially Deb, Debbie, Emily, Dana, Jan, and Amanda; Gentiva Home Care especially Elizabeth and Angela; Eldercare and especially Susie; Northgate Pharmacy; friends Bonita, Jacari Holt, Mildred Elkins, Harriet Edwards, Steve and Jeanne Chenault and the Rev. Anna Brawley.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider memorials to Safeplace, P.O. Box 1456, Florence, AL 35631 or Shoals Symphony at UNA, P.O. Box 667, Florence, AL 35631.
