Dakota Lee Adams

Dakota Lee Adams, 16, of Lancaster, Ohio passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026 from respiratory failure while in the ICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dakota was born on May 6, 2010 in Lancaster, Ohio to Clifford and Sheila Adams.

Dakota was a proud student within the Lancaster City School district. He attended preschool at Tarhe, elementary school at Gorsuch West, middle school at Thomas Ewing Jr. High, and just recently finished his freshman year at LHS. Dakota loved going to school, it was like his second home and family. He was extremely excited to be getting ready to start his sophomore year in the brand new high school, something that he will now miss out on. But there is no doubt that his memory and spirit will move on to the new building through his teachers, friends, and classmates.

Dakota had many hobbies, but without a doubt, his biggest hobby was playing video games on his Xbox. He was a gamer at heart and loved talking to people about his latest shenanigans in whatever game he happened to be playing at the time. His other hobbies included: listening to music, watching YouTube, coloring pictures for his friends, various arts and crafts, going bowling, spending time outdoors, spending time with friends and family, playing Uno, and watching TV shows with his mom at dinner time.

Dakota was a truly amazing human being. Despite his medical condition, he always carried a smile on his face and appreciated all the small things in life. He loved to laugh. He loved to make others laugh. He was kind and generous. He was empathetic and compassionate. He was polite and understanding. He was the kind of person who could be friends with anyone and enemies with no one. Dakota made the world a better and brighter place, and with his passing, the world may seem just a little less bright.

Dakota is survived by his parents, Clifford (Sheila) Adams; sister, Brianna (Jordan Hurley) Adams; grandparents, Liesa (Chuck) Kuhn, Penny Likens, and Mary Adams; great-grandmother, Marie Parry; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Dakota was preceded in death by his brother, Isaac Joseph Adams; cousin, Dylan Charles Adams; aunt, Ashley Marie Adams; grandparents, Clifford Adams and Guy Likens; great-grandparents, Carl Young, Robert Parry, Paul (Catherine) Ledgett, and George (Iva) Likens.

A Celebration of Dakota’s Life will be held 4:00 PM Tuesday June 30, 2026 at the HALTEMAN-FETT & DYER FUNERAL HOME. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2 to 4 pm at the funeral home.