It is with great sadness to announce that Lonnie Dean Adkins passed away on June 9, 2025, at the age of 68 in Great Falls, MT. A Celebration of Life is being held on June 21, 2025, at 5PM at the VFW Post 1087 in Great Falls, Montana.
Lonnie was born on July 24, 1956, in Boise, Idaho to LaVern Adkins and Dorothy Gherken. He spent his youth in Boise and graduated from Boise High School in 1974. After graduating, Lonnie moved to South Carolina to attend The Citadel where he graduated in 1978.
He was Stationed at Fort Rucker for flight training in 1978 and finished flight school at Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in 1979. He then continued to Sembach Air Force Base Germany until 1982, Hurlburt Field Florida until 1985, and then Scott Air force Base in Illinois through 1989.
Lonnie’s list of educational accomplishments was truly spectacular. He was just an exceptional man. He was a helicopter pilot and promoted to Major in 1989 in the United States Air Force. Lonnie went on to become a Computer Security Contractor for the USAF where he later retired. Some of the many awards Lonnie has received include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Device, and the Joint Service Medal with 1 Device. He also earned many ribbons from the Air Force, including the Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and a Training Ribbon.
While spending time in Spangdahlem, Germany, Lonnie met his soul mate Rhonda Adkins. They got married in Speicher, Germany on June 18th, 2003. Lonnie and Rhonda moved to Great Falls, MT in 2008 and spent a beautiful 21 years of marriage together, building a life and many wonderful memories.
Lonnie’s biggest passion in life was motorcycles. He lived and breathed everything revolving around motorcycles. They were his whole life. Lonnie also enjoyed reading politics, traveling and hunting. He spent many years as a Boy Scout Leader; he loved sharing his outdoor knowledge. His wife, Rhonda, would ensure he was included in almost all community events, as well.
Lonnie is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy and his brother, Greg.
He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; father, LaVern; sons, Daniel, Geoffrey, and James; stepson, Ryan Hainey; daughter, Janet Loomis; stepdaughter, Leah Hortin; and four grandchildren, Trenton, Spencer, Taylor and Graham.
Author: Staff
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