Gary Vernon Adams

Gary Vernon Adams, at the age of 78 passed peacefully at his home in Ben Wheeler, TX on August 28th due to the effects of interstitial lung disease. He was originally diagnosed in 2010 and given 3 to 5 years. Through determination, constant activity and God's blessing he lived a full life for 13 more years.

Gary was born January 22, 1945 in Pine Bluff, AR to Vern and Virginia Adams. He was the oldest brother to his two little sisters. The family moved to Cheyenne in 1946 where he graduated from Central High School in 1963. He worked as an electrician and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 415 union. He was also a certified welder. He finished his career at Coastal Chemical in Cheyenne where he retired in 2007.

He was brilliant figuring out and completing electrical, mechanical and construction projects. He performed all kinds of work from building garages, fixing church boilers, to custom cabinets and tile floors. If a job required skill with your hands, he could figure it out and do it well. He gave generously of his time working for churches and non-profits to make repairs always adding value to every where he went.

If you knew Gary, you liked him. He was gentle, kind and gracious while firm in his convictions. He was selfless and spent much of his time serving others. He demonstrated great love for all his kids and wholeheartedly loved his wife, Dottie. He loved Jesus and looked for every opportunity to share the good news with others. He loved to have fun and make others laugh, often at his own expense. He is famous in his family for his signature breakfast burritos and the animals he rescued/befriended - George the goose, Charlie the chicken and the little white poodle he rescued in the desert and aptly named EagleBait.

Gary and Dottie moved from Cheyenne WY to Ben Wheeler TX where they felt the Lord led them in 2018. In TX they were able to acquire an amazing property with a 5-acre lake. Gary will be long remembered for the grit and determination he displayed digging trenches, building sheds, crawling under houses all while on oxygen to establish their new home. One of our great memories will be him sitting on the deck in the morning, looking out on the lake and saying, "it's another beautiful day in East TX".

Gary is survived by his wife of 40 years Dottie Adams, and his children Shad Adams, Randy Adams, Jeff Adams, Kelly Salazar, Jason Adams, Billy Adams, Jennifer Bocook and Elise Johnson along with 23 grandchildren, sisters Karen Hogan and Marianne Waycaster.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Vernon Adams, mother Virginia Adams, daughter Melissa Ward and all his grandparents.

A Celebration of Life service will be held October 7, 2023, at 11 AM at Victory Church, with lunch following. The address is 1200 W College St, Canton, TX 75103.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Love and Grace Family Resource Ministry at https://loveandgracefrm.org/index.html (903)385-2547 This is where Gary and Dottie spent many hours volunteering their time.