Martin Lee Akins
1936 - 2022

Martin Lee Akins was born on November 17, 1936 in Washington DC and went to be with God on July 5, 2022 in Shaver Lake, California.

Lee enjoyed 85 years of a wonderful life filled with love, faith, service, and adventure. His boyhood years were spent in Arlington, Virginia, where his favorite activity was playing in the woods behind his house. At age 14, his family moved to an 80-acre farm in Strathmore, California, where he learned the hard work of raising cotton and feed corn.

Lee attended U C Davis and earned his degree as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1960. The bulk of Dr. Akins' professional life was spent in practice with his partner, Dr. William V. Allen, at their hospital, Diamond Veterinary Medical Hospital, located in Visalia, California. He was a life-long learner, frequently attending continuing education classes and always seeking to practice the best and most up-to-date medicine. As a veterinarian, Dr. Akins was beloved by both his patients and their owners.

During his "young lion" career years, Lee was active in many civic and professional organizations: Visalia Junior Chamber of Commerce, American Heart Association, Rotary Club, Tulare County Humane Society, Tulare-Kings Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, and Visalia United Methodist Church. Dr. Akins was instrumental in founding the Tulare-Kings Veterinary Emergency Service.

Lee retired from veterinary medicine in November of 2000. He subsequently earned a part-time vocational teaching credential and, for five years, taught Computers for Seniors through Visalia Adult School.

When not working, Lee was always very active and adventurous. He enjoyed piloting an airplane, snow and water skiing, woodworking, camping, hiking, backpacking, motorhoming and trailer travel, cruising, and foreign travel. Lee was a very special person and a kind and loving family man. He was a man of faith and humility, always striving to serve and elevate others above himself. Lee's statement of faith: "God is the center of life. He has a plan for each of us and if we listen to Him, life will be full of peace, love, and service to Him."

Lee had owned a small cabin in Shaver Lake since 1972 and, in 2012 he and his wife began an addition/remodel. Life evolved from there and in 2015 they left Visalia and moved permanently to Shaver Lake. Lee found much peace and contentment living on his Mountain.

Lee is survived by his wife Jeanette (Jan) and three children: Michael Akins of Visalia, David Akins of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Wendy Chadwick of Sutter Creek, California. Michael's family includes daughter-in-law Mary Kay, grandson Brett, and favorite granddaughter Katie and husband Brandon and great grandchildren Camden and Brynnley. David's family includes daughter-in-law April, grandson Stephen and wife Stacee, and great grandchildren Samuel and Annabelle. Wendy's family includes son-in-law Jeremy and grandsons Jason, Brennan, and Caleb.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents Samuel B. and Edna H. Akins of Visalia and by his brother, James A. Akins of Strathmore.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, July 29 at 11:00am at the Church of Shaver Lake in Shaver Lake, California. Arrangements are by Yost and Webb Funeral Home, yostandwebb.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hinds Hospice of Fresno, The Church of Shaver Lake, or Visalia United Methodist Church.