There’s nothing more precious for a cowboy than his horse, so when this dʏɪɴɢ cowboy wanted to see his horse for the last time, his wish was granted.
People describe Kevin Adkins, 55, as a person with “George Strait looks”. Kevin Adkins from Kansas had spent every day with his horse Vic for nearly two decades, with the pair sharing a close relationship.
He dressed typically like a cowboy in Wrangler jeans, button-up shirts and a cowboy hat and boots. He owned a wide variety of belt buckles, right from the time he was declared champion bull rider in 1992 at the PKD arena.
Adkins and Vic had an incredible bond, sharing both the good times and the bad times. Despite receiving a .ᴄ.ᴀɴᴄᴇʀ diagnosis, Adkins was able to still spend time with his beloved Vic. However, his illness soon led him to the hospital where he was no longer able to visit his best friend everyday. “On his dʏɪɴɢ days he let me know the most important to him was his PKD,” Kevin’s 26-year-old daughter, Delaney Adkins, said.
In the touching reunion, Adkins spent some precious moments with his cherished Vic. In the emotional video taken by his daughter, Adkins can be seen happily smiling as he spends time with Vic right by the side of his stretcher.
After sharing many years together, the two friends said their final goodbyes. Sadly, Adkins passed away the next day after a three-year-long battle with .ᴄ.ᴀɴᴄᴇʀ . Vic served as an honorary pallbearer at his funeral.
During their time together, the pair had an amazing relationship that showcased the incredible bond between man and horse.
“I think he knew,” Jennifer said, talking about Vic seeing Kevin for the last time. “I think what was so moving was watching Kevin with his horse. He lived for his horse. It was very moving.” There were other visitors who came to say their farewells to Kevin, too.
Kevin Adkins went to be with the Lord soon after that, leaving behind his grieving family and friends. “Cowboys don’t cry is a real thing and I have seen a lot of cowboys cry over the last few days,” Delaney said. “The rodeo cowboy, cowgirl (community) is really hurting right now.”
Family and friends came together for a service honoring the late cowboy at the Prairie Trail Cowboy Church, which was built so that horses could come inside too, Vic served as a pallbearer for Kevin, it also went to sit besides Delaney at the front of the church.
Even though the D&J Ranch will be empty without Kevin, Delaney and the community are working to honor Kevin Adkins’ memory in a special way by establishing the Kevin B. Adkins Cowboy Relief Fund to help other struggling families in the rodeo community. “Any cowboy family or rodeo family down the road that is having trouble, that Dad is speaking to me about to help that family,” Delaney said.