Richard Lee Adams

Rick was born in Mesa, Arizona on March 11, 1958, to Melvin and Gaye Adams. While living in Arizona, Rick was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Afterwards, the family went out to KFC which became a family tradition. His Dad's side of the family lived in Arizona and they would get together with cousins as often as possible. He learned to love tennis and archery in Mesa. The family moved to Royal City, Washington and lived with his maternal grandparents while their house was being built. Rick was 8 years old. It was here that he learned to really love music and sports. He had piano lessons for a while, but in 5th grade he started playing Coronet and continued in 6th grade. His band teacher asked him to switch to trumpet for 7th and 8th grade. And then when he got into high school he was asked to switch again but this time it was the French Horn. He played it all through high school. He even played it with the Air Force Band. And later on, his youngest son also played the trumpet.

He played sports in middle and high school. He loved playing tennis and was on the varsity team during high school. He had a paper route after school for several years and then he got a job as a bag boy at the local grocery store, not knowing that someday his own daughter would marry his boss's grandson.

He graduated from Royal City High School in 1976. Rick then attended Rick’s College (BYU-I) for a year before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Japan Kobe mission. When he came home from Japan, he had bought some gifts for the family. His sister, LeiLani, says that he brought home the most beautiful geisha girl figurine. And she still has it on her shelf.

Rick always had an infectious laugh. He would talk like Donald Duck to the little kids, to see them smile and laugh. He met his future wife at the Singles Ward where he was a mission leader and she was a Stake missionary. He married Karen Haven in the Seattle temple on June 6, 1981 for time and all eternity. They had three children: Joe, Kim and Andrew.

Rick served in the United States Air Force, stationed in San Antonio, Texas.

He spent most of his career in restaurants, sales and hospitality. He never met a stranger. He could talk to anyone without a problem. His daughter remembers him driving her to an 8th grade dance and he told her to not let any of the boys get fresh with her... Only problem was he never told her what getting fresh was!

He enjoyed watching and playing sports, and loved westerns (especially anything with John Wayne). They loved to go for car rides to see the beauty that was around Yakima. And also walk around the parks to see the beautiful flowers and the ducks.

His last several years he had a lot of health issues which limited his time at home with Karen. But he loved his wife deeply. He told his sister that she was the greatest blessing in his life. He and Karen were married for almost 45 years. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren.

And knowing that they will all be together again is the greatest blessing in their lives.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, his children, Joe and Betsy Adams, Kim and Dan Grimmer, and Andrew and Tabatha Adams; as well as his five granddaughters, Ellie, Danielle, Zoe, Charlotte and Denise. He is also survived by his siblings, Steve Adams, Marie Westbrook, Jerry Adams, Louis Adams (Charlene), Dee Adams (Casie) LeiLani Billings (Mike), and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Gaye Adams, and by his brother-in-law Craig Westbrook, and sisters-in-law Cindy Adams and Priscilla Adams.

Visitation will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4307 Englewood Ave, Yakima, WA 98908, US, on May 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am, followed by a Funeral Service at the same location on May 5, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Pallbearers will be Joe Adams, Andrew Adams, Mike Lott, Max Ellis, Milo Ellis, Dee Adams, with honorary bearers Steve Adams, Jerry Adams, Louis Adams, Mike Billings, Jay Ellis, Paul Niebhur, Roger Sorensen, and Dan Grimmer.