Thomas Ervin Atkinson, 71, of Buena Vista, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Atkinson was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1973 to 1993. He retired as a sergeant first class in the Army ROTC Department at Virginia Military Institute. After retiring from the Army, he continued to work at VMI in the Army ROTC Department, retiring in 2022 as the recruiting operations officer.

His active duty service in the Army and service to the Army ROTC Department at VMI spanned nearly 50 years. During his time at VMI, Atkinson directly supported and helped more than 1,900 cadets earn their commissions as second lieutenants.

Retired Col. Douglas Vincent, a 1994 graduate of VMI and a former professor of military science, said that Atkinson was "an absolute pillar of the VMI community and one of the finest noncommissioned officers I’ve ever worked with, from my time as a young cadet all the way up through being the professor of military science at VMI. Sgt. 1st Class Atkinson taught generations of VMI cadets what ‘right looked like’ and was the embodiment of professionalism and selfless service."

Kathy Ruffin, administrative assistant for Army ROTC at VMI and a long-time coworker of Atkinson, said, “He took care of the cadets. He was so organized and put many cadets into the Army. He was simply amazing, always putting others before himself.”

Atkinson was born Feb. 5, 1954, in Goldsboro, N.C., a son of the late John D. and Alice Atkinson. He graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1972.

In 1981, he married the former Lovie Minter. Together they raised two children, Tonya and Michael Thomas. 

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Delton and Darryl Atkinson; and two sisters, Judy Best and Terryl Atkinson.

He loved sports, earning a reputation for his athletic abilities throughout his school years, during his military career and in the community.

The funeral will be held Friday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m., at St. John AMEZion Church, 584 Pecan Road, Dudley, N.C. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Eastern Carolina StateVeterans Cemetery, 164 Longs Plant Farm Road, Goldsboro, N.C. 

Funeral arrangements are being handled by J.B. Rhodes Funeral Home and Cremations Inc., 1701 Wayne Memorial Dr., Goldsboro, N.C.