Richard “Steve” Atkinson passed away quietly on Sunday, March 20, 2022. He is preceded in death by father Lewis Atkinson, mother Ruth, and brothers Jim and Bill, all of Springfield, MO. He is survived by his wife, Susie Atkinson of Springfield, MO; son Steven Michael Atkinson, his wife Jean, and their son Joshua, of Charleston, SC; and his son Paul Atkinson, his wife Amy, and their children Dylan, Charlie and Eva of Denver, CO.  Steve’s step family includes Susie’s children Brian Sutherland, his wife Kelly, and their children Lexie and Lindy of Fairgrove, MO; and Marquita Draper, her husband Tim, and their sons Logan and Landon of Rogersville, MO.

For most of his life, Steve safely picked up and delivered our most precious cargo with patience, care and love – driving a school bus in Springfield during college and in Rogersville during “retirement” – and in the intervening decades, milk provided by dairy farmers throughout the Ozarks. When not driving and managing his route, you could find Steve in his workshop, welder in hand, making everything from BBQ pits to lawn equipment. A man of many skills and interests, he even dabbled in bee keeping, car restoration, engine building, running sound for church services, and farming.

A beloved husband, father, friend, and servant, his life and work will live on in the hearts of his family and people throughout Southwest Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Steve’s honor to the Evangel Temple Mission Fund. For more in formation call 417.883.0676 or go to www.etchurch.org/givingingfaq