Winford Akins, (85) of Oklahoma City, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on December 23, 2025, after a brief illness.

Born Curtis Winford Akins on June 26, 1940, in Claude, Texas, Winford was the youngest of four children born to Curtis Nolan Akins and Zola Lee (Leffew) Akins. He grew up in Memphis, Texas, in a blue-collar home that was short on resources but long on determination and love. There were no newspapers, magazines, or books in his house—except maybe a Bible—until the age of 10, when his older sister Ruth bought Winford his first book, which stoked his natural curiosity and a lifelong love of stories and anything in print. It was also at this age that he began his deep journey in faith. A young minister, Sydney Knox, modeled Jesus for him and inspired Winford to devote his life to God and to the practice of unconditional love.

The family moved to Lubbock, Texas, when he was 11. Winford was a bright student who became involved in journalism in junior high and high school where he took his role as sports editor for the Monterrey Mirror very seriously. He was the baby of the family and, long after his older siblings had left home, Winford graduated from Monterrey High School and became the first in his family to attend college when he enrolled at Bethany Nazarene College (now SNU) in Bethany, OK. At BNC he studied languages, edited the newspaper, formed lasting friendships, and was launched into a world of sports, books, culture, and music that brought him joy his whole life long. In his senior year he met freshman Judy Gandy who also brought him joy his whole life long.

In 1962, he graduated from BNC with a degree in education, married Judy, and moved to Altamont, Kansas to begin teaching high school German and Spanish. His teaching career would go on to span 41 years, most of which took place in Oklahoma at Putnam City High School where he taught foreign languages, served as student council sponsor, and was ultimately the head of the foreign language department. In these roles he influenced generations of students and faculty, always with a heart for those from modest backgrounds or underserved communities and always with a keen eye for the potential of each person he taught or mentored. Every student benefited from his belief in their ability to succeed. In addition to grammar and vocabulary, Señor Akins was committed to presenting students with broader worldviews and insights into different cultures. He retired from teaching in 2003 and is still remembered fondly today by former students and colleagues as someone who was compassionate, dedicated, inspiring and funny. And as someone who every day wore a starched shirt, suit, and tie to work even when the rest of the faculty shifted to casual wear.

Winford and Judy welcomed their son Damon in 1971 and their daughter Emily in 1979. As a father, Winford was funny but firm, strict but sweet, and he never missed a chance to encourage his children or to call them by one of the silly nicknames he'd given them. He was slow to anger, disappointment being his greatest punishment, and both Damon and Emily admired their dad and sought his approval, which he gave freely. He aimed to teach and empower them. He was a constant for his family: reliable, patient, often stubborn, but always loving.

As a husband, he was supportive of almost every wild and crazy idea Judy could concoct, including the formation of the design and marketing agency that she started in 1975 with longtime friend, Marilyn Olson. Winford and Jim, Marilyn's husband, worked behind the scenes at MJ Associates for almost 15 years providing indispensable support to its growth and success. During the "MJ years," Tyler Thomas was a co-worker who became a close friend, eventually becoming like a daughter to Winford and Judy.

Winford became "Papa" in 1999. His grandchildren were way above average by his measures and he relished every single opportunity to spend time with Hollis and Reuben, Ling and Minli, Julia and Clara. He loved teaching them as much as he loved learning from them. His life was marked by special events and priceless moments in their lives. He was surrounded by them in his last moments of life, hearing again how much they loved him.

In every stage and facet of his life, Winford's firm foundation of faith informed his values, decisions, and goals. He was steadfast in his belief that following Christ was the way to find peace and to do good in the world. His faith was his bedrock, sustaining him through trials, inspiring his work, and guiding his life to the end.

"Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

Winford found peace and wonderment in nature. Every spring, from the time he married until the year he died, he planted. In his garden, he grew anything and everything, including okra every year. He nurtured volunteer tree seedlings. He photographed every blossom, never missing the chance to capture its beauty forever. Besides tending to his yard, one of his favorite pastimes dating back to his childhood was sports. Though he loved sports of all kinds, he particularly loved professional basketball, especially the OKC Thunder, and college football, especially the OU Sooners. He followed his teams closely, rooted for them faithfully, coached them from his arm chair, and treasured any occasion to share his love of sports with friends and family.

Winford, Dad, Papa, Señor Akins was a man of faith who was courteous and kind, treated everyone—from strangers to his closest kin—with respect, could talk to anyone, and made so many people laugh. Whether it was a student in his classroom, a sapling in his yard, the fourth quarter of a losing game, any printed reading material, his children, or his grandchildren, everywhere he looked, he saw potential.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Zola Akins; brothers, Paul and Wendell,

He is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Damon Akins (Colleen Trimble) of Greensboro, NC, Emily Akins (Sergio Moreno-Denton) of Kansas City, MO, and Tyler Thomas of Oklahoma City, OK. and sister, Ruth Owen who survives him at 98 years of age. He leaves his legacy of love to his grandchildren; Hollis Akins (Tali Tesar), Reuben Akins, Julia Moreno Akins, Clara Moreno Akins, Ling Thomas, and Minli Thomas.

Winford enjoyed being with the people he loved, taking photos, and celebrating especially on special occasions like a beach wedding that enfolded Colleen, Fenway, AB and Boone into the family; or a memorial sing-along celebration of Mema and Jetta with the O'Neills (Joy, Mickey, Hilary, Christopher and Jo) as well as other Taylor family; or a trip to China with his granddaughters; or a quince años in Kansas City; or the 50th anniversary of the Progressive Dinner Group. Many cherished, lifelong friends and family will miss him dearly.

Winford's memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 6 at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the SNU Little is Much scholarship fund, or Tulakes Neighborhood Ministries. In memory of Winford, plant a seed, be loud for the OKC Thunder, or hug someone and make them smile.