James T. Akers

James Torrington Akers

James Torrington Akers passed away Thursday, October 27, 2016 in Emporia, KS. He was 84 years old. He was a longtime area educator and a past National Chaplain and Kansas State Department Chaplain of the American Legion. Services will take place on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 702 Arundel St., Emporia, KS with internment immediately following at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Legion Ball-McColm Post 5, 2921 W. 12th Ave., Emporia, KS 66801.

James T. Akers, son of Aaron A. Akers and Merle Fitzgerald Akers Furbee Fields, was born June 9, 1932 in Booneville, AR. He grew up in Delaware County, OK and graduated from Jay High School in 1950. He married Betty Lou Bond on December 18, 1951 in Fairland, OK. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal in the European Command. He was honorably discharged in 1953. James and Betty then moved to Miami, OK where he attended Oklahoma A&M College and Betty worked for two abstract companies. Their daughter, Cynthia Akers Kane, was born in Miami in 1962.

James received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, in 1956 and later completed a Master of Science degree and a Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Pittsburg State University. He was a teacher and principal in Miami until 1965, when the family moved to Columbus, KS and James continued his educational administration work in Kansas. He was a public school superintendent in the USD 203 Piper School District from 1967-1970, the USD 213 West Solomon Valley School District from 1970-1974, and the USD 386 Madison-Virgil School District from 1974-1986.

James began seminary studies in 1986 and completed a Seminary Diploma in Pastoral Ministries in 1998. He was ordained as a minister in the Anglican Episcopal Church in North America. During this time, he had the honor of serving the American Legion for many years as the Post 5 Chaplain in Emporia and the Kansas District 4 Chaplain. Also for the American Legion, he served as Kansas Department Chaplain and as the National Chaplain.

In his military service, James received the Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, the Army Commendation Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, and the Army Reserve Medal. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a life member of the Reserve Officers Association. He was also named an Honorary Life member and Chaplain of Company “B”, World War II, of Emporia.

James was a member of the United Methodist Church in Madison, KS, and served on the board of Madison Manor for a number of years. In the 1990s, he also was a part-time employee of Wilson Funeral Home in Madison.

In June 2015, James moved to Holiday Estates in Emporia to be closer to his immediate family. He became known there for giving the opening prayer at the residents’ “coffee hour” every Monday afternoon. In his later years, he enjoyed the opportunity to read widely in Civil War history and religious history. He was also an avid fan of Turner Classic Movies and loved discussing the upcoming Presidential election.

James was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife, Betty, who passed away on August 5, 2012. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia and her husband, Shannon Kane of Emporia. He is also survived by a multitude of friends from his military ministry and by those who graduated from USD 386 and who still think of him as “their superintendent”. His life was characterized by his deep faith in the Lord, love of education, and an abiding compassion for humanity. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James T. Akers, please visit our flower store.