Jess Odes Adkins

Jess O Adkins, DVM; 1947-2024 Captain USAF, Jess O Adkins, DVM, age 77 of Fairfield, TX crossed over Jordan into his promised Beulah Land on September 23, 2024. Dr. Jess O Adkins was born in Giddings, TX on January 1, 1947 to Odes Thomas Adkins and Louise Adkins. Jess was a lively and mischievous young man who loved to sneak off to hunt and fish on his family farm, or maybe sometimes the neighbors place, just outside of Giddings, TX. One of his favorite past times was gigging frogs in the nearby creek that ran through their family farm as well as maybe tip a cow or two from time to time. For as brilliant as he was in his profession as a veterinarian in his later years, his grade school academics show that he didn’t much care for Physical Education classes with a consistent C frequented on his report cards. However, he did succeed in getting accepted into Texas A&M in College Station where he joined the USAF Corp of Cadets and began his journey to become a veterinarian. Upon graduation from vet school, Dr. Adkins served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force where he served as a veterinarian and was cross trained to serve as a medic as well. After leaving the United States Air Force, Jess moved back to Texas and settled as a veterinarian in Fairfield, TX in 1972. Dr. Adkins filled a substantial void in the area as a mixed practice veterinarian in a heavy cow/calf ranching area. He was drawn to the evolving world of genetic development of cattle through the emerging embryo transfer field of work. In the early 1980’s, he left his private practice to immerse himself into embryo transfer by working for Pyramid Ranch and later Plum Creek Ranch which held his heart for many years. His role at Plum Creek ranch was instrumental in the development of a foundational maternal family in the Brangus breed known as the Brinks 876 family. His passion for Brangus cattle and more specifically the development of this 876 cow family continued into his own personal herd which he developed with his meticulous diligence until he sold the herd in the early 2000’s. After a decade invested with Plum Creek Ranch, Dr. Adkins decided to go back into private practice and serve area ranchers and families as a rural mixed practice veterinarian. He was known for his many unconventional and unique treatment methods delivered with a direct matter of factness mixed with genuine empathy. Clients also found themselves to be immediately considered trained & seasoned vet techs helping him with their own surgeries and emergency treatments at his direction. It was his way of pushing them through the pain and fear and giving them the gift of saving their own pets. Dr. Adkins served countless clients in Freestone, Limestone, Leon, Navarro and Anderson counties for over 50 years until his retirement in 2024. For anyone that knew Jess, one might have thought he had a doctorate in southern engineering. His ideas combined a practicality of sorts mixed poor man ways yielding a final product of first-class southern engineering which always surprisingly worked very well. This was evident in his love of the Red Green Show on PBS and his trademark one-piece dickies jumpsuits coupled with the trash bag palpation vests. Others may remember Dr. Adkins for his very practical choice of automobiles such as retired mail jeeps with big mud tires on the back and minivans retrofitted to carry his calf pullers and other tools of the trade off-road. Yes, he marched to the beat of his own drum and was proud to do so. He was a pioneer and an innovator of sorts. He did not know the meaning of the word can’t, never, or won’t. He did what he said he would do and was a man of his word. He was an honorable man. He was a hard man at times but always gave a steady and helping hand. He never backed up from a job and placed service of others above his own desires. He had a heart for the disadvantaged and looked to give everyone an equal chance. He set a high standard of service to community that is rarely seen in today’s world. He touched so many lives over his 50 plus years of service and undoubtedly made so many friends. In the end, he just loved people and he loved animals. He was lucky enough to live his passion and serve his Lord in a manner that contributed to God’s creation in the most impactful way. He gave dignity, empathy and everything he had to both the animal and the owner. Jess Odes Adkins, DVM is preceded in death by his parents Odes Thomas and Louise Adkins and sisters Betty Gest, Barbara Brown and brother-n-law Frank Brown. Jess is survived by his loving wife Brigitte Adkins; sister-in-law Rhonda Wilkerson; son Tony Adkins and wife Sonoma of Fairfield, TX; and daughter Jenny Miller and fiancé Kevin Loper of Port Aransas, TX; and son by spirit of adoption Joey Briery. Additionally, he is survived by grand children Coulton Woods, Houston Woods and wife Cassie, McKenna Burns and husband Chris, Demetrius Brackens and Antonia Coronado as well as great grandchildren Axle Downey, Corbin Woods, Connor Woods, Kinsley Burns, Myah Burns and Chris Burns, Jr. Lastly, he is also survived by nieces Lou Ann Cole and husband Bradley, Noah Gale; nephews Robbie Gest and wife Michelle, John Wilkerson and Shawn King. Honorary Pallbearers: Long time friends Larry Lingle, Guy Manning, Ken Hilzendager, James Carroll, Joel Reyes, Loftin Dunlap, Jimmy Clark, Rocky Giddings, and Steve Adkins. A visitation will be held at Cowboy Heritage Church of Freestone at 309 US Highway 84 W, Teague, TX 75860 on Friday 9/27/24 from 5-7 pm. A small family memorial will be held privately on Saturday. The family would love to see you and hear your personal stories of Dr. Jess O Adkins.

Jess Odes Adkins

January 1, 1947 - September 23, 2024