Donald Willard Donnie Bubby Adkins III‚ 32‚ of Cedar Grove‚ West Virginia‚ died March 13‚ 2010‚ while assisting with a swift water rescue during flooding at Beaver. He and his crew had successfully rescued 15 people before their boat capsized‚ throwing all three of them into the water. Two were rescued shortly after they capsized.

Born on November 26‚ 1977‚ in Charleston‚ Donnie attended DuPont High School and was most recently employed by the Capital Resource Weatherization Program in Montgomery. He had been a member of the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department since 2008 and was a previous member of the Rand Volunteer Fire Department.

He was a loving son‚ brother‚ father‚ and friend to many‚ especially his friends at the fire department‚ where he spent many hours. He was known for his love of WVU football and basketball‚ as well as NASCAR. His favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his mother‚ Lynn Adkins Sigmon‚ of Charleston; father‚ Donald Adkins Jr.‚ of Mammoth; sister‚ Renee Coleman (Wesley)‚ of Cedar Grove; and many aunts‚ uncles‚ and cousins.

He was a loving father to son‚ Devin Buzzard‚ of Sylvester; son‚ Ethan Adkins‚ of St. Albans; as well as special children‚ Joshua Perdue of Sylvester and Allyssa Evans of Cedar Grove. He will always be a hero to all the family and friends he leaves behind.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the many‚ many volunteers who participated in the search for Donnie and also to those who have offered prayers and support through this difficult time.