Roll Call Tribute

Mike A. Adkisson, MD 

February 2, 1930 - March 12, 2024 

Mike Allen Adkisson, MD passed in his sleep the morning of March 12, 2024, in his home. Dr. Mike Adkisson was the youngest child of John Wise and Lenna McCandless Adkisson, born in Greenville, Texas, on February 2, 1930. 

Educated in Greenville schools, he was drum major of the Greenville High School Band. He then became a proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and class of 1951 honors graduate of Texas A&M College. The entire graduating class Corps of Cadets was ordered to active duty in the Korean War upon their commission into the armed forces. While serving in the Air Force, most of Mike's military service was spent in Casablanca, Morocco. As Officer in Charge of the Security Courier Service, he received and hand-delivered top-secret material for military bases in Morocco, Tangier, Gibraltar, and Liberia.

Following the war, he returned to Greenville for work at the family business of Wise Adkisson & Sons Wholesale Florist and Nursery. His position as Manager of Greenhouse Production (seasonal blooming plants and cut flowers) for the North Texas Market allowed him to work alongside his brother, Jay for a long period—but the family florist business was not Mike's final calling.

His 1959 acceptance to the University of Texas at Galveston Medical Branch was the beginning of his lifelong dream to practice medicine. During medical school, he was elected into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Mike was also selected as one of 12 in the U.S. to receive a Wyeth Pediatric Fellowship Award, which allowed completion of his pediatrics residency at U.T. Medical Center Hospitals.

In 1965, upon his return to Greenville, The Pediatric Clinic was established. In his early years of practice, Dr. Mike was the only Board Certified Pediatrician between Greenville and Texarkana, Texas. His medical accolades also include: 1972-1974 Chief of Staff at Greenville Citizens General Hospital; 23 years as Chief of Pediatrics and service on the Hospital Medical Staff Executive Committee. Other medical-related accomplishments include numerous chairman and membership positions with various advisory committees for DFW, North Texas, and affiliations with charitable organizations.

After retiring from 39 years of active medical practice in 2004, Dr. Mike continued his contributions through many emeritus and medical board memberships up until the year 2015.

In 1982 Mike's music ambition was fulfilled when he joined the Big Band Jazz Orchestra by playing both tenor saxophone and clarinet. A few years later, "Doc & the Gang" (an 8-piece orchestra), was formed and they supplied entertainment throughout Texas for over 20 years at conventions, dances, and private parties. Once discovered by Columbia Artists, New York, Doc & the Gang was under contract for 10 years for a concert circuit throughout Texas and Arkansas.

Dr. Mike's civic activities included various Councilman, Board, and Membership positions serving several Greenville Banks, the Entertainment Series, and the Rotary Club. His direction and efforts in the restoration of the historic 100-year-old Greenville Post Office Building (currently known as 'The Landmark') earned him the Service Above Self award in 2005.

He was predeceased by his parents, sister, Mary Wise Adkisson Ward, brother, J.W. (Jay) Adkisson, Jr., and grandson, Christopher Michael Adkisson.

Dr. Mike is survived by his wife Beverly Miller Adkisson of 39 years; son David (Fran); daughters Megan Disney (Andrew) and Holly Clapp (Greg); granddaughters Lauren Adkisson, Bianca and Sydney Carroccio. Grandsons, Rhys Disney, Nathan, and several nieces/nephews. Also, step-children Lori and Stephanie Brainard.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home of Greenville. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm, Friday, March 22, 2024, at Kavanaugh Methodist Church.