Thomas "Tom" H. Adams

Thomas H. Adams a resident of Arlington, VA was born in Savannah GA to Parker and Beatrice Adams (both deceased). Tom was a resident of Vernonburg (also known as White Bluff) for most of his adolescent years in the Savannah area. He graduated from Savannah High in 1964. He joined the US Navy in 1965 and was awarded his Navy enlisted Air Crew wings in 1967. Tom was introduced to his future wife Muriel Herrera by his mother and they married in 1970. As he always said “they had an arranged marriage” and if anything happened, she could visit his parents but he would be in the “doghouse”. He was affiliated with the U. S. Navy Aviation, serving in both Active and Reserve Patrol Squadrons at NAS (Naval Air Station) Jacksonville Florida and at NAS Patuxent River Maryland. Tom completed his term of service and received an Honorable Discharge in 1972. He graduated from American University, Washington DC in 1976 with a degree in English Literature after which he began a lifelong career with major defense companies in support of the Department of Defense retiring as Director, Proposal Operations for DRS Service Company a Fortune 100 company. As a youngster, he became an avid sailor, an avocation that he pursued throughout his life. His sailing experience ranged from racing small dinghies to ocean racing yachts. He and Muriel had many adventures sailboat racing on the Potomac River and sailing the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. On one such adventure, they lost all power while approaching Knapps Narrows and it was his superior sailing skill which saved them from disaster. Tom had to bring them in under sail in a swift current to a “safe” landing while his wife was shouting to a small boat to move away as they could not maneuver in such a tight space. He also participated in sports car racing on a club and professional level and was a wicked bridge player in his younger years. He loved books from the classics to Tom Clancy. His love of travel which began during his Navy days included vacations to Canada, Bermuda, Guadalupe, Dominican Republic, and Scotland to see Muriel’s grandparents for the first time. Tom is survived by his loving wife Muriel of 51 years of marriage, sister Diane Ballinger, nieces Margaret Ballinger, Carlie McCarthy and nephews Patrick McCarthy, Albert and Parker Ballinger. Other survivors include his large extended families on the Adams and Herrera sides.