James Bryan "Jim" Akin

James (Jim) Bryan Akin passed away February 26, 2021. He was born February 9, 1958 in Minden, Louisiana and raised by his loving, adoptive parents, Jerry and Ruth Akin, in Shreveport, Louisiana. After graduating from Shreveport’s Southwood High School in 1976, Jim attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. While there, Jim met his beloved wife, Lee Ware Akin. Jim and Lee were united in marriage May 26, 1979 and graduated together from NSU in 1981 with degrees in Industrial Engineering. Jim and Lee were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Jessica Brooke, born in 1985, and Amanda Christine, born in 1987. Jim started his long career with ConocoPhillips in 1981 and held positions in Lafayette, LA; Buras, LA; Dubai, UAE; Houston, TX; Lima, Peru; and Tripoli, Libya. Jim was known as “Mr. Safety” at ConocoPhillips and received ConocoPhillips’ highest employee award, the “SPIRIT” Award in 2008 and 2015. Jim retired in 2017. In 2018, he and Lee moved to their dream home, “Sandcastle,” in Natchitoches, Louisiana so they could be closer to their daughters and their families. He was known as “Papa” to his precious grandchildren and loved entertaining them with golf cart rides, pontoon cruises, and showering them with love. Jim Akin is remembered by all who knew him for his kindness, generosity, and modesty. He was a born teacher and was always willing to share his knowledge and skills with others. He taught neighborhood kids to ride bikes, helped Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts build Pinewood Derby cars, took the Girl Scouts camping, and did many fire/safety demonstrations for students and Scout troops. His neighbors remember his willingness to get out his Kubota tractor and trim their trees, help with landscaping, or anything else they needed done. He was an incredible organizer and served as the President of the American School of Dubai’s Parent Association (ASPA). He was famous for his running of the American School’s Halloween Carnival – an engineering marvel that was constructed/de-constructed in a matter of days annually. In Natchitoches, he enjoyed serving on the Natchitoches Historic Foundation — especially the Roque House project. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Ruth Akin; his parents-in-law, Richard Nathaniel Ware III and Dixie Ware; and his brother-in-law, Richard Nathaniel Ware IV. Survivors include Jim’s wife, Lee Ware Akin; his daughters, Jessica Manotas (Joshua), and Amanda Gray (Chris); grandchildren, Lyric Manotas, Ethan Gray, and Everett Gray; siblings, Reta Bright (Bill), Nick Trent (Janice), and Carl Trent (Vickie); and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation for Jim Akin will be held Monday, March 1, from 9-11 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home, 848 Keyser Avenue, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457-2184 (phone: 318-357-8271). Memorial service will follow at 11 am in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Natchitoches Historic Foundation, 550 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457, or to a charity of your choice.