John A. Atkins Jr.

John A. Atkins Jr., 76, of Cheyenne, WY. was called by Jesus in the House of the Lord forever on August 10, 2020. He was born the son of John A. and Lorena (Tompkins) Atkins, on July 18, 1944 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. John graduated high school from St. Johns Military School and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in education. Then he graduated from the University of Colorado with a master’s degree in animal science. He taught high school in Buffalo and Casper, WY, and in Ft. Dodge, IA, where he was an assistant wrestling coach, having many successful seasons, and many are still in touch today. On September 19, 1981, John was united in marriage to Bonnie Mewis in Lakewood, CO. John owned a trucking company, ranched several years in Carr, CO and Williams Production, Gillette, WY, moving back to Cheyenne in 2014. Survivors include his wife Bonnie, son Chet (Jill) Atkins of Laramie, WY, daughter Jana Reynolds, son-in-law, Frank Reynolds, both of Gillette, WY, grandson Garrett (Josie) Goggin of Otter, MT, granddaughters Shawn (Glen) Chape of Carinda, New South Wales, Australia, Shelby Atkins of Cheyenne, WY, Haley Atkins of Rawlins, WY, and two great-grandsons, Monte and Bohanon Goggin of Otter, MT. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lorena Atkins, father in-law and mother in-law, Leo and Martha Mewis, sister-in-law, Donna Jenkins, and brother in-law Duane Waltke. John found the very true love of his life in Bonnie. Until the very hour of passing, all they wanted was to be beside each other. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Interment of urn is at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens. Expressions of care can be sent to www.wrcfuneral.com .