James R. Adams' Obituary
James Russell Adams was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1933, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the first son and second child of Russell and Lillie R. Adams. He graduated from Garner Colored High School in 1951 as his class Valedictorian. He matriculated at Agricultural and Technical College, Greensboro, North Carolina, where he enrolled in ROTC and graduated with a B.S. degree in Vocational Industrial Education Summa Cum Laude. He later completed his Master of Education degree at Virginia State College in 1973 and received a Ph.D. in Administrative Leadership from North Texas State University in 1983.
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in 1956 and served as a Career Officer for twenty years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1976. During this career he was awarded the Legion of Merit, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Air Medals, and 4 Overseas Bars. He was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Campaign Medal from the government of South Vietnam. He was also awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Army Commendation Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. His last U. S. Army Decoration, The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal was awarded to him 24 years after his retirement.
After his Military retirement, Doctor Lieutenant Colonel Adams embarked upon his second career as a High School Educator in the Junior ROTC Department for the Dallas Independent School District and eventually became the Director of Instruction and coordinator of the Department for the District. In his spare time, he was a member of the Dallas County Veterans Advisory Board and served on the Dallas County Land Board. He simultaneously served as the Commander of the Dallas Chapter and Vice commander of Region VIII Military Order of War Wars and was awarded 2 Patrick Henry Silver Medallions for Patriotic Achievements. He was appointed by then Governor George W. Bush as a Commissioner of the Texas Veterans Commission and then later appointed by President George W. Bush to serve in the United States Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials.
Brother Adams was an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for over 57 years and a member of the Theta Alpha Chapter in Dallas for many years.
He became a member of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church in 1977. As a staunch servant of Our Lord and his Church he served on and was chairman of many and various committees, but his most valued and cherished position was fostering religious education and teaching Sunday School.
On December 24, 2020, Our Lord opened his arms and the gates of heaven and welcomed his faithful and valiant servant, James R. Adams in time to enjoy a Christmas Celebration. James was proceeded in Death by his parents, Russell and Lillie R. Adams, his sister, Mae Thelma Brooks, and his brother, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Lewis Adams. He was survived by his beloved wife of over 63 years Althea Coston Adams, his three sons, James, Christopher and Michael, his three grandchildren, April (James), Ashley and Spencer (Michael), his only nephew Bradley Brooks, his nieces Karen Davis, Karla Moore, Joyce Young, Debbie Adams-Bey and Brenda Jackson, his daughters-in-law Romona (James and their Family) and Laura (Michael), and his longtime family friends, Eddie and Lynda Mayberry, Joseph and Herdercine Nash, and Ella Perry, the many other cousins and relatives of North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as a host of friends, including the congregation of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church.
Due to Covid-19 and the safety of others we are limited to the number of guest allowed to attend, Doctor Lieutenant Colonel Adams service. Please see the link below to view funeral service from the comfort of your home and/or vehicle. If able, please join us for the Military honors directly after the chapel service.
In lieu of flowers, please send potted plants.
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