James Dewayne Akerman

James DeWayne Akerman, 63, of Shawnee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, surrounded by his family. James was born December 9, 1947, the eighth of nine children to Patrick Frank and Lucy Mae (Canfield) Akerman. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1965. On Christmas Eve, 1965, James married the love of his life, Judy LaDawn Tinker, at the home of Judge R. A. Wayland. Into this union, two daughters were born, Cynthia and Ginger. James began his industrious career as a carhop at the Brown Derby in 1965. He later became the assistant produce manager at Humpty Dumpty. He retired from Tinker AFB in 1993 with 26 years as a machinist. After retirement, he opened a used car lot, Akerman Auto Sales, in Midwest City and transferred it to Shawnee in 2005 which he operated until his illness. James farmed in the Prague area for 26 years. His parents; sister, Gloria; and brother-in-law, James Henderson, preceded James in death. Survivors include his wife of 44 years:Judy Akerman of the home; daughters and son-in-law, Cynthia 'Cindy' Drummond of Shawnee, Ginger and Robert McLaughlin of Prague; grandchildren, Kristyn and Seth McLaughlin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Pat, Jr., and Peggy Akerman of Edmond, Bob and Deloris Akerman of Chouteau, Al and Carol Akerman of Claremore, Charlie and Julie Akerman of Shawnee, Jerry and Diana Akerman of Shawnee, Edward and Nina Akerman of Georgia; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and John Harmand of Shawnee; sisters-in-law and spouses,Beverly Henderson of West Union, SC, Wanda and Butch Garber of West Union, SC, Betty and Bob Peterson of Wasilla, AK, and Wendy Newsome of Marion, AR. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. A Rosary will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2010, at 7:30 PM, at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Prague. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, with Father Don Wolf officiating. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.