Richard Floyd Adams

Richard F. Adams died on April 18, 2015, surrounded by his family after a beautiful life of 83 years. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 24, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2 East 75th Street, Kansas City, MO 64114. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25 at the same church.

Richard was born on November 17, 1931, in Kansas City, MO and lived there all his life. He attended Linwood Grade School, Central High School and Westport High School, graduating in 1948. He earned his A.B.A. degree from Kansas City Missouri Junior College in June 1950 and his B.S. in Business from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1952.

At MU, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and then trained at Parris Island, SC, and Quantico, VA. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in January 1953 and served as a rifle platoon leader in the Korean War. After the war ended, he was transferred to a rifle platoon north of the Imjin River in South Korea near the Demilitarized Zone.

Richard practiced law for more than 50 years. He attended law school at the University of Kansas on the G.I. Bill. After graduating in 1957, he joined the firm of Deacy & Deacy. In 1966 he joined Slagle, Bernard & Gorman, P.C. and remained with that firm until his retirement in 2011. He enjoyed the law and was primarily a trial lawyer. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar and as Chair of The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges.

He married Elizabeth (Betty) Ginter on August 10, 1957, and together they raised three children: Susan, Ann and Robert. Richard was a vibrant person with a dry wit and keen memory. He was gifted with an incredible intellect and gracious, joyful personality. He loved his family and had many loyal, lifelong friends. Many happy summer vacations were spent in Colorado and on family camping trips across the country. He was an avid tennis player and runner. He was an excellent pianist and classical music enthusiast and inspired the life-long love of music in his children and grandchildren. He and Betty have subscribed to the Kansas City Symphony since 1958. He lived a full and active life.

Richard is survived by his wife Betty and their cat, Lilly. He is also survived by daughter Susie Adams and husband Jude Weber, daughter Ann Wilkinson and husband Jim and son Robert Adams and wife Sue; and nine grandchildren: Charlotte, Avery, Charlie, Albert, Henry, Addie, Edward, Frances and Walter. Gone before him are his parents, Walter Adams and Cecelia Cartwright Adams, and brother, Thomas Ray Adams.

Richard's family is very grateful to Dr. Gary Doolittle, the staff at The University of Kansas Hospital and the staff at Bishop Spencer Place for care they provided during his final years. His family suggests memorials to UMKC Carolyn Benton Cockefair Chair in Continuing Education, 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110 or St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2 East 75th Street, Kansas City, MO 64114.