This obituary was originally published on Rogers & Breece Funeral Home.
Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Lee Adams, a believer in God, country, and in the idea that friends and family were gifts to be cherished, died Sept. 7, 2024. He was 88 years old and still movie-star handsome, having completed a superlative life and an illustrious career as a military aircraft electrician, including a stint in the 1960s helping to keep Air Force One running smoothly at Andrews Air Force Base.
He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 70 years, Margaret Adams, and he never stopped missing her beautiful face or her exceptional Southern meals.
He is survived by daughter Kimberlee Adams Hasty and self-described “favorite son-in-law” David Hampton Hasty, as well as four grandchildren who were always up to something and always including him in this or that big event: A holiday celebration; a birthday party; a wedding- or baby-related festivity; or just a family cookout or beach trip. Those four – Courtney Katherine Hasty, Caroline Hampton Hasty, David Adams Hasty and Charlotte Hasty Armstrong – brought him so much joy, lots of special times, and abundant laughter.
He felt especially blessed to have had the opportunity to hold and hug great-grandchildren Allison Chesley Holt, John Bartholomew Holt Jr., and Hampton Lee Armstrong. His grandsons-in-law, Hunter Armstrong and Josh Armstrong, were special additions to the family in his later years, always on hand to listen to a story or help with some of life’s heavy lifting. He was looking forward to the upcoming birth of a fourth great-grandchild, courtesy of Charlotte and Hunter.
He also is survived by other family members with whom he shared a mutual devotion, big holiday dinner, or simply a warm relationship: Wanda Hardee Boles and husband John; Dean Jackson and wife Lisa; Steve Adams and wife Nancy; Ron Adams and wife Cindy; Richard Adams; Michael Hasty and wife Tasha; and Robbie Hasty and wife Susan.
Sweet and special friend Patricia Ellis helped fill the void left by the loss of his wife and was at his side for many a family occasion and many a Fayetteville Woodpeckers game at Segra Stadium, where he would often park his beloved 1964 Ford Galaxie in a special DIY “reserved” parking space.
He also was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Allison Kimberlee Hasty, and by double-first cousin Raymond G. Adams. Ray and Jerry were closer than brothers and were steadfastly at each other’s beck and call to share meals, conversations, household issues, auto repairs, and trips down memory lane. He also was preceded in death by his parents, Nellie and Buren; two sisters, Janice and Judy; and a brother, Michael.
His nearly 30-year Air Force career included two tours in Vietnam at Cam Rahn Bay and numerous other “TDYs,” including Germany, Korea, India, and Thailand, and three years stationed at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan, where his family happily came along with him. And though he often was tasked with packing his bags and his immaculately pressed Air Force fatigues and heading out on his own, he never once seemed like an absentee father. His broad shoulders and gentle spirit were a source of lifelong comfort for his daughter.
Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1982, he embarked on a second career at Rhudy’s Pawn Shop, where he became virtually indispensable and like part of the family. He retired from Rhudy’s in December 2020 but would return to help out on a regular basis until just a couple months before his death. The Phillips family, particularly Kenny, treated him with unwavering love and respect.
He was a devoted member of College Lakes Baptist Church, where he served as an usher and often was the one who unlocked the doors on Sunday mornings.
A service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, September 13, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home, with the Reverend Sam Lanier presiding. A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, or to College Lakes Baptist Church, 4704 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC, 28311.