It is with great sadness to announce that Lonnie Dean Adkins passed away by his own
hand on June 9, 2025, at the age of 68 in Great Falls, MT. A Celebration of Life is
being held on June 21, 2025, at 5PM at the VFW Post 1087 in Great Falls, Montana.
Lonnie was born on July 24, 1956, in Pocatello, Idaho to LaVern Adkins and Dorothy
Gherken. He spent his youth in Boise and graduated from Boise High School in 1974.
After graduating, Lonnie moved to South Carolina to attend The Citadel where he
graduated in 1978.
He was Stationed at Fort Rucker for flight training in 1978 and finished flight school at
Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in 1979. He became a USAF Helicopter pilot.
He then continued to Sembach Air Force Base Germany until 1982, Hurlburt Field
Florida until 1985, Scott Air Force Base in Illinois through 1989, McClellan Air Force
Base in California through 1993, and finally Howard Air Force Base in Panama until
1998 when he honorably discharged as a Major after 20 years of service.
Lonnie’s list of educational accomplishments was truly spectacular. He completed his
Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In
addition to his pilot training, he also completed specialized training in Medical
Intelligence, Flight Safety, Search and Rescue, Crash and Water Survival Training, and
completed Squadron Officer School at the Air Command and Staff College in
Montgomery, Alabama.
Some of the many awards Lonnie has received include the Defense Meritorious Service
Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Devices, Joint Service Commendation Medal,
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Device, and the Joint Service Achievement
Medal with 1 Device, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
with Valor Device with 2 Devices, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with 1
Device, National Defense Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He also
earned many ribbons from the Air Force, including the Overseas Long Tour Ribbon,
Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and a
Training Ribbon. He was an exceptional man.
For Lonnie’s second career, he went on to become a Computer Security Contractor for
the US Military. He successfully completed his CISSP (Certified Information Systems
Security Professional) certification, signifying a high level of competence in
cybersecurity. While in this position, he moved to Spangdahlem, Germany, where he
met his soulmate Rhonda. They were married in Speicher, Germany on June 18th, 2003.
They moved to Scott Air Force Base in 2004 where Rhonda finished out her military
service; they then moved to Great Falls, MT in 2008. Lonnie retired from Computer
Security in 2022. They spent a beautiful 21 years of marriage together, building a life
and many wonderful memories.
Lonnie’s biggest passion in life was motorcycles. He enjoyed collecting and fixing up
vintage bikes, riding with friends and family, and seeing the world on two wheels. Lonnie
also enjoyed reading, politics, traveling, hunting and spending time at their cabin. He
spent many years as a Boy Scout Leader where he earned the Wood Badge and the
Silver Beaver Award; he loved sharing his outdoor knowledge. He could also often be
found at community events, thanks to the gentle nudging of his wife.
Lonnie is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy and his brother, Greg.
He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; father, LaVern; sons, Daniel, Geoffrey, and James;
stepson, Ryan Hainey; daughter, Janet Loomis; stepdaughter, Leah Hortin; and four
grandchildren, Taylor, Trenton, Spencer, and Graham.