John Edward Atkinson, 72, of Bowling Green, MO passed away peacefully July 7, 2014 at Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk, VA. He was born in Pike County, MO to the late Georgia Irene Hoagland Atkinson and Wm. Norman Atkinson. He is also predeceased by his daughter, Katie Hopke Sisson, and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Louise Atkinson.

John worked for many years as a truck driver for Witte Brothers Exchange, Inc. and was previously a co-owner of Mack's Vending Service. John was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green and served on the board of Kilby Cemetery. John is an alumni of Bowling Green High School, class of 1960, and was elected president of the FFA where he demonstrated his love for farming and raising prize-winning hogs and sheep, a skill he lovingly passed on to his daughter and granddaughters. John was an avid NASCAR fan and successfully raced his own stock car for several years. More recently, John enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball and softball.
John is survived by his wife of 39 years, Lucinda Ann Pollard Atkinson; daughters and sons-in-law, Jill Atkinson (James) Hofherr of St. Louis and Kelly Hopke (Brian) Bolte of Suffolk, VA; grandchildren, Stephanie Potter (Wilson) Mourino of Suffolk, VA; Sara Potter of Portsmouth, VA; Emily, Everett, and Egan Hofherr of St. Louis; niece, Lori Atkinson (Dennis) Johnson of Wentzville; great niece, Ashley Johnson (Logan) Strother of Syracuse, NY; and great nephew, Austin Johnson of Wentzville.

Funeral services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Sentara Foundation - Hampton Roads, earmarked Sentara Cardiac Research, 6015 Poplar Hall Dr., Suite 308, Norfolk, VA 23502. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com