David “Kent” Askins 1943-2019

David “Kent” Askins, 75, of Yantis, Texas passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on, Saturday, July 20, 2019. His valiant battle with cancer is no more. He was born in Lufkin, Texas on August 5, 1943 where he grew up and graduated from high school. He then served 5 years in the Army in Verdun, France during the Vietnam conflict. After active service, he earned a degree at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas where he met his wife of 51 years, Regina Ross Askins. David then became a police officer and detective with the Lufkin police department and then a criminal investigator with the State of Texas in Beaumont, Texas. He also completed 25 years of Army Reserve duty before retiring as a Master Sergeant. David is survived by his wife Regina of Yantis, daughter and son-in-law Laura and Clark Driver of Quitman, Texas, son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Chantelle Askins of Austin, Texas, as well as three grandchildren, Cole Driver of Washington, D.C., Madeline Driver of Quitman, and Reid Askins of Austin. He is preceded in death by his parents Alice and Mark Askins, brothers James Allen “Sonny” Askins and Joseph “Michael Askins, and sister JoAnne Askins Mulligan.

A memorial service was scheduled Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Mineola at 10 a.m. The church hosted a fellowship reception afterward to celebrate his life. There will also be a graveside service and internment the following day on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 10 a.m. in the Blair Community of Timpson at Dixon Cemetery. A fellowship reception for all family and friends will follow this service as well. In keeping with David’s wishes, the family is requesting donations be made to Lufkin High School Alumni Fund in lieu of flowers. He was an avid Lufkin Panther fan until the end!