Richard L. Adams Sr.'s Obituary
ADAMS, Sr., Richard L.
"Dick"
It is with heavy hearts that family announces the peaceful passing of Richard Adams, Sr., our husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, uncle and brother after he battled Alzheimer's with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his long life of 95 years. He was born in Scottsbluff, NE, the second of seven children of the late Clyde Charles and Elizabeth Adams. He joined the US Army Air Corps in March 1941 and proudly served his country during World War II and the Korean War. He survived being shot down by the enemy and always said that if he survived that, he knew he would live a long and happy life, which has certainly been the case. He retired from the Air Force as a Major serving in the Reserves until 1965. During his long and distinguished banking career, he served as Executive Vice President of the First National Bank in Palm Beach and then Co-Founder and President of the Palm Beach Mall Bank. He served as President of the Florida Banker's Association and Sailfish Club. He helped many people start successful businesses and was active in his church and community serving in organizations including the Heart Association , PTA and Salvation Army where he dressed in red and green and rang the bell every Christmas season on Worth Avenue. His banking career enabled him and Mildred to travel the country and the world. When he retired from banking in 1986, he built a home on the ocean in Maine where he spent summers with family and friends and enjoyed painting, sculpting, woodworking and tending his beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. He was an accomplished artist who often sold his work at local craft shows. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 71 years, Mildred (Moody) Adams, and sons Richard L. Adams, Jr. (Shirley Adams) of West Palm Beach and Charles C. Adams (Vicki) of North Palm Beach) and daughters Nancy Ellery (husband Jack) of Jensen Beach, FL and Donna Jo Aycock (husband Bob) of Tupelo, MS. He also proudly helped to raise his nephew Terry Duke of Labelle. He is survived and loved by eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He remained loyal to his family and friends and was an excellent friend in return. The family will always remember his favorite sayings including, "don't sweat the small stuff" and "life's little problems" and "patience and fortitude". A private memorial will be held at Mangrove Bay in Jupiter, where he and Mildred have lived for the last four years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Palm Beach County or TrustBridge Hospice. Visit PalmBeachPost.com to offer condolences or share your memories of Richard. "To all of us, and I hope to him, there is deep fulfillment in the fact that what made him great is being passed along in pure form to his new life."
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