James (Jim) Harold Adkins, Sr., 79, of Swan, died peacefully at home on February 14, 2026. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1946, in Jefferson, Iowa, to Harold and Romajean (Robinson) Adkins. He was the firstborn of four children.

Jim began school in Gowrie. His family moved to Grand Junction when he was in second grade, where he attended through sixth grade. They later moved to Rockwell City, where he completed high school, graduating in 1964. Jim went on to graduate from Commercial Trade Institute, where he studied mechanics. He worked at Crabb Implement in Sac City while also helping on the family farm and doing custom combining. Jim later lived and farmed in Jolly, Iowa, where he milked cows and raised calves.

In June of 1968, Jim met the love of his life, Donna Colleen Sloan, at a carnival in Pomeroy. He always said it was love at first sight. Jim and Colleen were married on September 20, 1968, and shared 57 beautiful years of marriage.

In 1969, the newlyweds moved to Exira, Iowa, where they purchased a dairy farm. Jim continued custom combining while managing the farm and caring for dairy cows and calves. In July 1969, Jim and Colleen welcomed their first son, James (Jamie) Harold Adkins Jr., born in Atlantic, Iowa. Jamie spent his first four years either in the milking barn with Colleen or riding in the combine and tractors with Jim. In January 1972, they welcomed their second son, Jeffrey Lee Adkins, also born in Atlantic. In 1973, Jim made the decision to leave farm life. With two children, one vehicle, and $18 in his pocket, Jim and Colleen took a leap of faith and moved to Runnells. In March 1975, they welcomed their third son, Jason Linn Adkins.

Jim worked for F.L. Warren Construction from 1973 to 1980, traveling across the state installing sanitary, water, and storm sewers. In 1980, he began working for Hawkeye Woodshavings, delivering sawdust before moving into the shop as a mechanic. He worked part-time for 10 years at Mid America Recycling and joined the company full-time in 2000. Jim retired from Mid America Recycling in 2011 but continued working part-time at his son Jamie’s trucking company until his health declined.

Jim was baptized as an infant at the Methodist Church in Gowrie and reaffirmed his faith in 1970 when he was baptized at the Christian Church in Exira. He attended Runnells Christian Church and later began attending Bondurant Federated Church in 2023.

Camping was an important pastime, with friends and families. Many memories were made at Cutty's Campground, Robert's Creek, Marion County Park and, of course, the annual August trip to the Iowa State Fair. After retirement, Jim and Colleen enjoyed spending winter months camping in their fifth-wheel camper. They began traveling to Arizona with Keith Gulling, where they enjoyed riding their Harleys. Eventually, they found their favorite winter home in the Florida sunshine.

Jim and Colleen were blessed to travel often. One of their most memorable trips was to Germany, where they spent two weeks traveling to many cities while Jason was stationed there during his military service. In 2012, they traveled to Colorado with Jeff’s family to support Kenzie playing softball. In 2017, they traveled to Hawaii with Jamie’s family. Most recently, AJ and Stacia invited Jim and Colleen back to Hawaii for their vow renewal. Jim took his first cruise in March 2025 with Colleen, Jamie's family and Kendra’s family. They loved traveling, seeing new places, and creating memories with family and friends. When they were not traveling, they faithfully supported their grandchildren and great-grandchildren at school, church events, and sporting activities.

Jim is survived by his wife, Colleen Adkins, and his best fur friend, Boomer; his sons, James (Jamie) Adkins Jr. (Jennifer) of Swan, Jeffrey Adkins (Alicia) of Altoona, and Jason Adkins of Swan; his brother, Dennis Adkins; sisters Gloria Combs (Mike), Pam Jensen Elliott (Bruce), Andrea Miller (Jim), and Jody Petersen (Dave); and his stepmother, Lillian Plunket.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kendra (Ethan) Fouch, Andrew (Stacia) Adkins, Jacob (Emma) Adkins, Rachel (Corey) Derby, Anna Adkins, Alex Swanson, John (Sydney) Adkins, Kenzie (Lane) Dunblazier, Kaylee Adkins, Jordan Adkins, Jasmine (Jake) Adkins, Julia Adkins, Jessica (Alex) Laube, and Cassie (Anthony) Adkins; and his great-grandchildren: Ryder and Zayden Fouch; Navy, Kipton, and Memphis Adkins; Leighton and Lennon Adkins; Fitz, Killian, and Sullivan Derby; Rori and Remi Dunblazier; Dutton and Douglas Adkins; Hazel Laube; Koda Adkins; and Phoenix Adkins.

Jim is also remembered by longtime friends Dan and Jan Schall, his Florida family, his camping “granddaughters” Chan Wildt and Beth Thompson, and many other beloved family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Adkins; his mother, Romajean Zika; his brother, Rodney Adkins; his stepfather, Bob Zika; his grandson, J.D. Adkins; and his nephew, Ryan Adkins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bondurant Federated Church Youth Missions.