Ricky N. Atkins

Ricky Noman Atkins, 71, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on April 27, 2026.

Ricky was proudly born in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Mable (Seymour) and Clyde Atkins. He is predeceased by his brother Steve and sister-in-law Deborah Atkins.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen (Rusinak) Atkins, his daughter Christy (Greg) Grosch, his grandchildren Grant, Caroline and Hampton Grosch, his stepchildren Maura Kathleen Powell and W. Keith Powell. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Deborah Atkins, his nephew Scott (Angie) and his great-nephew Zachary Atkins.

Ricky entered the Air Force from Valdosta, Georgia on March 26, 1975. He successfully completed technical training and worked as an Air Traffic Controller at Seymour Johnson, Maxwell and Scott Air Force Bases in the US and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. From 1983 to |985, Ricky was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base near Cape Canaveral, FL where he contributed to 10 NASA space missions. He completed Squadron Officer’s School in residence in1986 and graduated first in his class from the USAF Air Ground Operations School at Hurlburt Field in Florida. He was the Executive Officer to the Director of Air Traffic Control Operations at Headquarters, Air Force Communications Command. Ricky was promoted to the grade of Major effective February 6, 1995. His last USAF assignment was in the Air Force Liaison Office at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Headquarters in Washington, DC. Over the course of his service, the Air Force awarded him the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the National Defense Service Medal. He qualified for and received the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. He retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of honorable service. 

He was then hired by the FAA in Washington, DC where he was involved with aircraft accident investigations and frequently worked with the United States Secret Service. Ricky played acritical role in developing the FAA Contract Tower Program, one of the Agency’s most successful programs. The FCT Program now represents over half of the contract towers in the United States. He remained in that position for over 18 years until he retired in August 2015.

Ricky had a lifelong love of sports, especially for his beloved Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves and NASCAR. He was also adored and will be forever missed by his two cats, Lido and Isabel, who were his constant companions.