Richard Henry Adams, Jr. – 1939-2026

Richard Henry Adams, Jr., was born in Ocala, Florida, on January 4, 1939, where he was baptized in Grace Episcopal Church. After graduating from Ocala High School with Honors in 1957, he studied Political Science at the University of Florida where he was a member of Florida Blue Key and president of Sigma Chi fraternity. From 1961 to 1963, Dick served in the United States Army, stationed in Zirndorf, Germany.

Following his military service, Dick returned to Gainesville to the University of Florida College of Law from 1963 to 1965 where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Law Review and an Honors graduate. Dick began his legal career with Holland & Knight in Lakeland and Tampa, Florida. In 1965, he moved to Orlando where he was an Assistant Prosecutor until joining with Stumpy Harris, Kelly Smith and Robbie Robinson to form the law firm of Adams, Harris, Smith & Robinson which later became Gray, Adams, Harris & Robinson. Until his retirement in 2000, Dick practiced commercial litigation and was active in The Florida Bar, serving as President of the Young Lawyers Division and a member of the Board of Governors. He also served as President of the University Club in Orlando.

Dick and his wife of 48 years, Joyce Rhodes Adams, spent many active, happy years in Windermere, Florida, before making the decision to return to Ocala, Florida, and his beloved Lake Weir and ultimately Ormond Beach. During their many years together, Dick and Joyce were fortunate to be able to travel and enjoy much of the world with friends and family. Dick lived large, visiting every continent except Antarctica. A lifetime hunter, Dick had good times with good friends at the Lucky M Hunt Club on the Deseret Ranch in Holopaw, Florida, and later his farm, Green Swamp Ranch, in Lake County, Florida, where his log cabin on the pond became his happy place.

When he was at home, he loved gardening, and was in fact watering and fertilizing his roses and jasmine just prior to the accident which led to his death on August 20, 2026. It was always good to come home, though, to Yancey County, North Carolina, and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains where they established a home 47 years ago. Their first anniversary gift to each other was a home in Yancey County.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Richard Henry Adams, Sr., and Miriam Thomas Adams of Ocala, Florida, his daughter, Leigh Anna Adams, of Orlando, Florida, and his niece, Jana Rae Adams of Ocala, Florida. In addition, to his wife, Joyce, he is survived by his sons, Richard Henry Adams III (Barbra), and William Rhodes Adams (Alejandro), his sister, Anna Adams Deloach (Roy), his brother, John Brooke Adams (Bonnie), his grandchildren, Belinda Ann Adams, Richard Henry Adams IV, and Alexander Matias Adams and nephews and niece, Adam Carter, Brooke Adams and Anna Claire Carter. He loved and was loved by his Rhodes in-laws. There are many cousins and legions of friends and acquaintances who will mourn his loss from their lives but will continue to remember his wit and wisdom. He had the best sense of humor in the entire world!

There will be a celebration of Dick’s life at the Church of the Resurrection in Little Switzerland, North Carolina, on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM.

Gifts to honor Dick’s memory may be made to the Church of the Resurrection, P.O. Box 206, Little Switzerland, NC 28749, Mount Mitchell Community Fund, P.O. Box 5039, Statesville, NC 28687, mtmitchellcommunityfund.org or Compassionate Care, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

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