Gary was an active member of his community. He was the emergency manager for the County. He was a deputy sheriff in the County. He was a retired Federal civil servant after several years with the Federal Aviation Administration.
He was a trained storm spotter and member of the OK-First community.
He loved to fly and share flying with his friends.
I know the community will miss him. He was a good friend to me. He is missed by many already.
While you can't work your way to heaven, Gary's rewards will be great, given the amount of work he gave to his fellow man. His memorial service on 27 October was a tribute to his labor.
Rest in peace, friend. You've earned it.
Gary "Choke" Adkins WB5OOB, will be missed, and he is being missed by many. He has had great insight and was well known for the being the Voice of Kiowa County EOC Operations. He used both his skills in the County Sheriff Office Freq's as well as with the Ham radio traffic during Severe WX Watches. Many times I have ended up at the EOC after the storms and the chase had ended, he always had a hot cup of coffee waiting, and a pat on the back with a smile with a comment of something to the fact, "We survived again, good job out there tonight". The role Gary played for Kiowa County will be a hard one to follow. Gary had many friends around here in all walks of life and he was one of my friends on and off the radio. I went to his Funeral and they did a great job from the start and to the Military Honor Guard. We will miss his humor and wit, but most will remember him as "This is WB5OOB at the Kiowa County EOC in Hobart on the air and ready for traffic." Rest in Peace my friend.
I first met Choke back in the early 70's. He and my dad were in the Windjammers CB club together. Choke was already a Ham at that time. Ever wonder how he got the nickname "Choke" his CB handle was "Chicken Choker" Everyone started calling him Choke and it just stuck through the years. I can remember riding with him and being fascinated with his 2m radio. Choke is the reason I am a ham today, although it took me nearly 30 years to get it done. We kept in contact all those years. I think of Choke often and I know he will be missed by many. Rest in peace my friend. 73