Atkins passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 24, 2008.  He performed in many roles both on and off stage at The Players Theatre including roles in: Little Shop Of Horrors, Fame, Driving Miss Daisy and a host of other shows.  He also starred in productions at The Manatee Players such as Tom Sawyer and The Shadow Box.  Additionally, he was a member of the Asolo Theatre Company performing in I'm not Rappaport and To Kill A Mockingbird.

Atkins was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a community leader.  He mentored kids at The Boys and Girls Club, served as an umpire for Little League Baseball, announced Football Games for the Police Athletic League, and was the head coach of the PAL Junior Varsity Buccaneers.  Atkins was also known locally as a Disc Jockey and spent years working with large advertising companies and corporate executives on programming promotions and product placement in motion pictures and radio stations in Europe.