Marion E. Atkinson, age 87, passed away Friday Night at 11:25 p.m., October 23, 2009 with his family by his side at the Medicalodge of Columbus.

Marion was born on August 21, 1922 in the Blue Mound area near Neutral, Kansas. The son of Clarence Atkinson and Nellie L. (Rhoads). He grew up and attended schools in the area. Marion was a stockman/farmer.

Marion married Betty Jean Crane on July 21, 1940 in Joplin, Mo. she preceded him in death January 19, 2007.

He was a member of the Neutral Methodist Church in Neutral; and the Brahman Cattle Breeder Association, the Columbus Saddle Club, Cherokee County Coon Hunters' Club, Cherokee County Livestock Association, a 4-H Club leader for 14 years with the Spring Valley Sparklers 4-H club, he was a rodeo clown for eleven years. Marion showed Brahman cattle at area fairs in the local area and from Springfield, Mo to Tulsa, Ok.

Survivors include 8 children, Beverly Jean Capron of Tulsa, OK, Marion Wayne Atkinson of rural Columbus, Carolyn Ann Ranta of Kalamazoo, MI, Keith Edward Atkinson of rural Pittsburg, KS, Shirley Dian Pate of Lewisburg, KY, Marilyn Jane Rogers of rural Welch, OK, Rick Eugene Atkinson of rural Baxter Springs, KS, and Sherrie Lynn, of rural Columbus, Kansas. 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by 1 brother, Lloyd Atkinson and 2 sisters Janice Harrington and Georgia Myers. 1 grandchild, Lloyd Atkinson and 1 great-grandchild, Joseph Todd Atkinson.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 27, 2009) at the Center Christian Church in rural Columbus. Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Burial will take place in the Park Cemetery in Columbus. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday 10-26-2009 at the Simpson Funeral Home Columbus, Kansas. Memorials may be left in his name to the Diabetes Association or the Spring Valley Sparklers 4-H Club in Columbus.