Donnie Ray Adkins (Big Don) was born in CO on October 14, 1957. He lived in Mora NM where he later graduated with his class of 1975. After graduating, he moved to Leadville CO to work in the Molybdenum Mines for some years. He then went onto harvesting from the Texas Panhandle all the way up to the Canadian border, after his harvesting days were done he moved to Amarillo TX to work with Hadley Auto Transport as a fleet mechanic, while working as a mechanic for Hadley he started building racecars on his own time. As his racecar business became more and more successful he decided to move back to Mora NM and continued his passion for building racecars and becoming a master fabricater. In his own shop he built racecars, shovel racing sleds (in which he won an X Games Gold Medal in) His next adventure was to build and race Mud Boggs in which he enjoyed doing for many years as he won many races and championships. He finished out his career by sharing his knowledge and passion of welding as a welding instructor for Luna Community College. During his retirement he finally built himself his own car and enjoyed it with many friends and family. Big Don spent most of his life time not only building cars but also helping, educating, loving, and somehow touching everyone's lives that he encountered. He will forever be missed and certainly never forgotten.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Loyola Lucero, mother, Lucyl Lucero Adkins, step father, Ernest Adkins, adoptive parents Pat and Rosalda, brother, Robert Romero and Ernest Adkins.

Donnie is survived by his daughter, Clara Adkins- Carter and her kids Jordan Sandoval, Alexandra Carter and Samantha Carter, son, Donnie Adkins II (Ashley) grandson, Isaiah Adkins, son, Derek Adkins, son, Devin Adkins (Dominique), granddaughters, Hailie Campos, Embrie Adkins, and Adalie Adkins, sisters Stella Gomez, Arlene Romero, brothers, Patrick Adkins and Michael Adkins, and many other loving family members.

Rosary service will be recited on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 6:00pm funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:00am both services will be held at St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Mora, NM. Interment will follow at San Isidro Cemetery in Holman, NM with the following serving as Pallbearers Steven Padilla, Alfred Vasquez, Dennis Martinez, Anthony Baca, Chris Sena, and Rick Arellanes. Honorary Pallbearers Gale Boles, Jerry Tenorio, Burt Burg and Isaac Alcon.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary 600 Reynolds Ave Las Vegas, NM 87701 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.