been ordered in the now-merged metropolitan school district to foster racial desegregation. Briley, Jenkins, Allen, and Ferguson all bought relatively large (for that period) amounts of television air time, which was beyond the financial ability of Atkinson's campaign. Atkinson finished fifth in the race. (Briley eventually defeated Jenkins in a runoff.) Later life Although Atkinson never sought elected office again, he was nonetheless active in many civic and charitable activities. He was an active member of Civitan and Kiwanis, as well as the United Methodist Church. He and wife, Ruth, resided in the Otter Creek Rd area of Davidson County, which he had represented years before in the legislature. His death was attributed to congestive heart failure. He is buried at Nashville's Woodlawn Memorial Park. See also Navy Cross Battle of Okinawa References Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives United States Marines United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) 1921 births 2006 deaths Metropolitan Council members (Nashville, Tennessee) 20th-century American politicians American United Methodists 20th-century Methodists