Charles W. Adkins, born July 3, 1935 to John Reginald Adkins and Marjorie Grant Adkins in Joliet, Illinois, passed away January 16, 2014 in Dallas. Chuck was an authentic Renaissance Man - engineer, musician, actor, theatrical producer, authority on wines and Scotch whiskeys, Mensan, Curmudgeon in Residence, superb chef and cookbook author. He could do anything and repair anything. He was a beloved husband, father and friend, and will be missed. As a young adult, he played the French horn and worked as a professional musician. He attended VMI and Iowa State, and became a professional engineer. In 1965, he moved his family to the Dallas area to work for General Electrodynamics on the optic lenses for the Mariner space projects. Among the many projects he worked on during his career were the first injection-molded emblem for Harley Davidson motorcycles, the first plastic digital watches for women from Texas Instruments, a cutting machine for Pace Foods to automatically cut the stems off of peppers, and an air foil system for semi trucks to reduce drag. He loved to cook and often served formal multi-course dinners to his friends. For many years, a Bobby Burns Feast was celebrated at his home, complete with haggis, Finnan Haddie, rumbledethumps and other Scottish dishes. In 2000 he published Surley Pierre's Cook Book which included recipes he had collected or created over the years. He is preceded in death by his daughter Connie Adkins and sister Jeane Hague. He is survived by his wife, Sandy, children Denise and her husband Steve Kapp, Cindy Gerlach, Sheree and husband Jim Madden, Chris Edwards and wife Brenda, Craig Edwards and wife Amy, Jody and husband Kenny McCullough, Bill Blaydes and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2 p.m. at Aria Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700