George Allen Adkins, respected agricultural industry leader

George Allen Adkins, 93, a devoted family man, proud Delawarean, and respected leader in the agricultural industry, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Lewes.

Born March 28, 1932, on Blueberry Lane in Frankford, George was the son of the late Elmer and Estella Mae (Collins) Adkins. His family moved to Millsboro in 1936, where he laid down roots and began a lifetime of service, leadership, and community involvement.

A natural athlete and student leader, George graduated from Millsboro High School in 1950. During his school years, he was active in baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball. He served as class president in ninth grade, class treasurer in 10th grade, and student council president in his senior year. He was also vice president of Allied Youth and business manager for the senior class play. His athletic achievements included serving as catcher for Millsboro American Legion baseball team in 1948 and 1949—teams that won both Sussex and Kent counties, and finished runner-up in the state both years.

George attended the University of Delaware’s School of Agriculture from 1950-52, where he participated in the ROTC and pursued his dream of farming. He worked the family farm while holding part-time jobs in automotive sales and later became a full-time sales manager at Town and Country Motors in Georgetown.

In January 1956, George became a 32nd-degree Mason. His professional career took a major turn when he joined Townsends Inc. in 1957. He began in the Quality Control Lab and later served in numerous leadership roles, including merchant, soybean processing plant manager, and ultimately executive vice president and chief operating officer of Townsend's Inc. and Townsend Farms Inc. His industry leadership culminated in serving as president of the Delmarva Poultry Industry in 1983, after previously holding vice president roles.

In 1983, George was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a private-sector advisor to a joint committee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative. He was honored in 1985 with the Delmarva's Distinguished Citizen Award, and in 1988, he received the Agribusiness Award from the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association.

George also worked with Perdue as manager of Feed Ingredient Procurement, and later with Allen’s as director of purchasing. After retiring in 1995, he embarked on a successful consulting career until his full retirement in 2000. His consulting clients included Mountaire, Pennfield Farms, Novus International, and producers in Canada.

He was deeply committed to his community, serving as president of the Millsboro PTA, advancement chairman of Boy Scout Troop 89, and secretary-treasurer and president of Eastern Shore Grain and Feed Dealers Association.

George was a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church in Millsboro and joined the Sons of the American Revolution in 2015, proudly carrying national number 193443 and Delaware state number 1658.

An avid outdoorsman, George loved quail hunting and fishing in both saltwater and freshwater, and he never missed a Duke basketball game. However, nothing brought him more joy than cheering on his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their many pursuits—from sports to academics to scouting.

In 1955, at 22, he married the love of his life, Nancy Ellen Bunting, at Saint Martin’s Neck Church in Bishop, Md. Together, they shared 56 beautiful years of marriage until her passing in 2011.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Nancy; his brother, Stanton Adkins; his in-laws, Jill Bunting (Horace); and his son-in-law, Terry Megee.

He is survived by his children, Vanessa A. Megee and Stanton Allen Adkins (Marjorie); grandchildren, Lindsay Megee Vickers (John), Matt Megee (Stacey), Abigail Carroll (Mike) and Ricker Adkins (Mikyla); great-grandchildren, Estella, Andi Mae, Vanessa Jo, Sebastian and Nora; his brother, Ralph Adkins (Peggy); in-laws, Denise West (Kenny); and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

George’s legacy is one of tireless dedication to family, faith, and the agricultural community he so deeply loved. He will be missed beyond measure.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations in George’s memory to Delaware Agriculture Museum, 866 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901, or the Sons of the American Revolution, Caesar Rodney Chapter, 1 Honeysuckle Court, Georgetown, DE 19947.

Visit George’s Life Memorial webpage at watsonfh.com.