James Donald Adams, 85, passed peacefully on May 18, 2021 after a 9 month battle from complications of having COVID-19. Don was born on March 2, 1936 in Lynch, Kentucky to Dessie and Jim Adams. He grew up in a thriving coal mining community but was determined not to follow a path into the coal mines. He excelled at sports and was class president several times through High School. His friends knew him as Ruggie, a nickname he acquired when he played for the Lynch Bulldogs. He had many fond memories and friends from Lynch who stayed in touch until his passing. He attended Eastern Kentucky College where he was active in ROTC and graduated as an Officer in the U.S. Army. The military was his road out of eastern Kentucky and put him on a path to see the world; and see the world he did, while changing the destiny of his family forever.
Don met the love of his life, Rose Michelle Dann before shipping off to Mannheim Germany, in of the 19 stops along his 20 year military career. He was a like time learner and attended many military schools including Carlisle War College. He later pursued a Masters Degree from Central Michigan University where he graduated in the same ceremony as his son.
During his military career, he did numerous hardship tours including Vietnam. He was also in Africa and kept hostage under Muammar Gaddafi in the coup of 1969. Gaddafi kept Don under house arrest until the US agreed to provide provisions for his new military. Don was the last military personnel out of Libya, unharmed and with another great story to tell. He was a highly decorated officer receiving numerous Meritorious Service Medals, Army commendation Medals, Air Medals, and Vietnam Services medals.
He retired as Lt Colonel in 1974 and continued his career with Martin Marietta, FMC and GE working as a defense contractor. He traveled extensively to the Middle East and carried two passports to visit unfriendly neighbors. He was a proud Military Officer and a true patriot his entire life.
Don and his wife Michelle retired in Orlando Florida where they antiqued, collected more Hallmark ornaments than anyone is history, and spoiled his family every holiday. The couple especially loved Christmas and planned and decorated extensively each year.
Don, like his father, was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many days on the lakes with his father, his brother Jack, his brother in law Wayne Farris, and of course with his son Dann. He and his father passed on the fishing tradition, and love of fishing, to his family.
Don also had an interest in genealogy and produced a large volume of work on the family tree, the history of Lynch, and the rise and fall of the coal mining town. He spent his last years with Dann and his family in Georgia. He loved to visit his son’s cabin in the mountains of Murphy NC, which reminding him so much of Lynch. His final days were with his son and family putting smiles on many faces.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Michelle Adams, brother Jack Thomas Adams and his two brothers in law, Carl “Nick” Dann and Dennis Michael Dann.
He is survived by his only son, J.Dann (Dawn) Adams, sister Sue (Wayne) Farris, sisters in law Peggy Adams and Karen Dann, his 3 grandchildren, Spencer Adams, Chase Adams and Derek (Vicky) West, his 2 great granddaughters Danyelle Hunt and Charlotte West, and numerous nieces and nephews.
His wishes were to be cremated and interred at the Georgia National Cemetery with a Military service, as well as ashes spread at the special places in Lynch Kentucky and Eustis Florida. He did not want a hectic scheduling of a service , and asked to have a small gathering at each location. We will notify friends and family when schedule. He will be missed.
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