James DeWayne Akerman, 63, of Shawnee, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 14, 2010, surrounded by his family.

James was born December 9, 1947, the eighth of nine children to Patrick Frank and Lucy Mae Canfield Akerman.

He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1965. Christmas Eve 1965, James married the love of his life, Judy LaDawn Tinker, at the home of Judge R. A. Wayland.

Into this union, two daughters were born, Cynthia and Ginger. James began his industrious career as a carhop at the Brown Derby in 1965. He later became the assistant produce manager at Humpty Dumpty. He retired from Tinker AFB in 1993 with 26 years as a machinist. After retirement, he opened a used car lot, Akerman Auto Sales in Midwest City and transferred it to Shawnee in 2005 which he operated until his illness. James also farmed in the Prague area for 26 years.

His parents; sister, Gloria; and brother-in-law, James Henderson preceded James in death.

Survivors are his wife of 44 years, Judy Akerman, of the home; daughters and son-in-law, Cynthia "Cindy" Drummond, of Shawnee; Ginger and Robert McLaughlin, of Prague; grandchildren, Kristyn and Seth McLaughlin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Pat, Jr., and Peggy Akerman, of Edmond; Bob and Deloris Akerman, of Chouteau; Al and Carol Akerman, of Claremore; Charlie and Julie Akerman, of Shawnee; Jerry and Diana Akerman, of Shawnee; Edward and Nina Akerman, of Georgia; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and John Harmand, of Shawnee; sisters-in-law and spouses, Beverly Henderson, of West Union, South Carolina; Wanda and Butch Garber, of West Union, South Carolina; Betty and Bob Peterson of Wasilla, Arkansas; and Wendy Newsome, of Marion, Arkansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 6600 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1310, Tulsa, OK 74136.

A Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, December 19, 2010, at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Prague.

A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 p.m., Monday, December 20, 2010, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee with Rev. Donald L. Wolf officiating.

Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.

A guest book is available to share your memories online.

Please visit www.parksbrothers.net.