Richard Ernest Adams

April 4, 1942 to December 20, 2025 (83 years old)

Richard resided in Hanover County in the Cold Harbor Area of Mechanicsville, VA where he was raised. He was born to Andrew Hopson Adams of Mechanicsville and Marjorie Alberta Islip Adams of Nottingham, England.

Richard was married to Jacquelin Kennedy of Crewe, Virginia. They married in 1963 and were married for 62 years until her death in October 2025. He survived by his son, Chris Adams and wife Laura; daughter, Cindy Adams and husband Duane Cassis; 6 grandchildren, their spouses, and 7 great grandchildren.

He was a 1959 graduate of Lee Davis High School and went on to serve in the US Coast Guard from 1960 to 1968, during the Vietnam era. He then attended night classes at the Virginia Commonwealth University where he majored in accounting.

Richard worked for over 30 years for the State of Virginia. He began as an auditor and over the years transitioned into teaching and advocacy for public safety. He was appointed by three Governors to several statewide safety committees and retired as the State’s Transportation Safety Director.

He was a member of the Governmental Accountants Association and the Virgina Institute of Transportation Engineers. He received a certificate of Transportation Engineering from VMI and instructed at the US Institute of Hiway Safety in Oklahoma City. He also served as Advisor to the National Association of Governors’ Highway Safety Representatives.

Family and friends called Richard “Dickie.” He was funny and witty. He loved a good joke and liked to make others laugh. Dickie loved his children and grandchildren who called him, PaPa. He liked sports but especially baseball. He played high school ball and later filled the 1st base position on the Oak Hall Church softball team. Dickie loved his church family. He was a Deacon at Oak Hall Baptist Church and served as the Treasurer for many years.

The family will receive friends Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Virginia 23231. A funeral service will be held Friday, January 2, at 10 a.m. at Oak Hall Baptist Church, 1877 Old Hanover Road, Sandston, VA 23150. Interment will follow at Washington Memorial Park.