Charles Lucien “Chuck” Adams, Sr. of Huntsville passed away on August 22, 2016 at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bettye Jane Tullington Adams; brother, Michael Palmer Adams of Union Grove; daughter, Jane Adams McKinney (Raymond) of Hurricane, WV; sons, Charles L. Adams, Jr. (Frances), John R. Adams (Beth) of Decatur and Thomas B. Adams (Abbe) of Huntsville; grandchildren, Jack Adams (Courtney) of Birmingham, Catherine Grunschel (Jeff) of Decatur, Ben Adams (Christen) of Decatur, John McKinney of Charlotte, NC, Luke Adams (Chelsea) of Athens, Meg Ingram (Kris) of Birmingham, Michael Adams of Henderson, NV, Jordan McKinney of Columbia, SC, Sally Neill (Ben) of Birmingham, and Jake Adams of Huntsville; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was born on December 23, 1930 in Lakeland, Florida and grew up in Mobile, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1953 with a degree in Civil Engineering and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He was commissioned as an Army Engineer Officer and served a tour of duty in Korea. Upon returning from Korea, Chuck initially worked for the Mobile District of the Corps of Engineers and then moved to Huntsville in 1961 to join NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center. At MSFC, Chuck supported numerous projects including Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs, designing support facilities and engine test stands at several NASA facilities. Chuck also served 28 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a Colonel.
Chuck was a lifelong active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, serving over 50 years as an usher. An avid golfer, he leaves behind many close friends at Valley Hill Country Club as well as special friends at Trinity UMC and Redstone Village Retirement Community.
Visitation will be at Trinity United Methodist Church at 607 Airport Road, Huntsville, Alabama on Thursday, August 25, 2016 between 9-11 a.m. followed immediately by the funeral service. All of his grandsons and his grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or to one’s favorite charity.
