Obituary for Charles Ray Adams
Charles Ray Adams, 72, of Tool, Texas passed away on Friday, May 15th, 2020 after a short battle with cancer. His daughter Ashley and grandsons, Ryan and Ranger, were by his side.
Charlie was born in Abilene, Texas on September 16th, 1947 to Joe and Aline Adams. Joe’s Mother (Charlie’s Grandmother) was Sara Novella Smith, great granddaughter of Alamo legend, 1st Mayor of San Antonio, and Republic of Texas Senator, John William Smith. Charlie was very proud of his direct lineage and family connection to the Alamo, and was a proud 4th-generation Texan.
Charlie grew up in Irving, Texas and graduated from Irving High School in 1965. He met the love of his life, Marilyn Mitchell Adams of Oak Cliff in January, 1971. They were wed a few short months later in May of 1971 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma.
Charlie was a long-time finance manager for Friendly Chevrolet and Metroplex Toyota in Dallas, as well as a Henderson County small business owner prior to his retirement. However, Charlie’s full-time job for most of his adult life was watching and cheering his children and grandchildren from the bleachers and sidelines. Charlie was a fixture at sport, band, and track competitions at Malakoff for his children, Brandon and Ashley, then later in Eustace for grandsons, Ryan and Ranger. Although he bled Malakoff black and gold, he proudly wore his Eustace purple and loved his Eustace Bulldogs.
Charlie loved to hunt and fish, especially along the bottoms and hardwoods of the Trinity River. Many still refer to him as “Catfish Charlie”. He was also well known by his family and friends for his infamous “Charlie Burger.”
After retirement, Charlie’s full-time job was helping care for his grandsons, Ryan and Ranger. The McKee boys never rode a bus to or from school thanks to their “Gramps”.
Charlie leaves behind his beloved wife, Marilyn Adams; children, Brandon Adams of Tool, Ashley McKee and husband, Scott of Eustace, and Sherry Sereboff of Austin; grandsons, Ryan and Ranger McKee of Eustace; sister, Judy Fly and husband, Jim of Mabank; sister-in-law, Beverly Hansen and husband, Jerry of Athens; nephew, Randy Fly; and nieces, Kim and Cindy Fly; as well as many great nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation is Wednesday, May 20th from 8-5 p.m. at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens. The family will be present to receive visitors from 5-8 p.m.
A celebration of life will be held at a future time at the Pinnacle Club with a private graveside service at Mount Zion Cemetery in Ranger, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Henderson County United Way.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
Charlie was born in Abilene, Texas on September 16th, 1947 to Joe and Aline Adams. Joe’s Mother (Charlie’s Grandmother) was Sara Novella Smith, great granddaughter of Alamo legend, 1st Mayor of San Antonio, and Republic of Texas Senator, John William Smith. Charlie was very proud of his direct lineage and family connection to the Alamo, and was a proud 4th-generation Texan.
Charlie grew up in Irving, Texas and graduated from Irving High School in 1965. He met the love of his life, Marilyn Mitchell Adams of Oak Cliff in January, 1971. They were wed a few short months later in May of 1971 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma.
Charlie was a long-time finance manager for Friendly Chevrolet and Metroplex Toyota in Dallas, as well as a Henderson County small business owner prior to his retirement. However, Charlie’s full-time job for most of his adult life was watching and cheering his children and grandchildren from the bleachers and sidelines. Charlie was a fixture at sport, band, and track competitions at Malakoff for his children, Brandon and Ashley, then later in Eustace for grandsons, Ryan and Ranger. Although he bled Malakoff black and gold, he proudly wore his Eustace purple and loved his Eustace Bulldogs.
Charlie loved to hunt and fish, especially along the bottoms and hardwoods of the Trinity River. Many still refer to him as “Catfish Charlie”. He was also well known by his family and friends for his infamous “Charlie Burger.”
After retirement, Charlie’s full-time job was helping care for his grandsons, Ryan and Ranger. The McKee boys never rode a bus to or from school thanks to their “Gramps”.
Charlie leaves behind his beloved wife, Marilyn Adams; children, Brandon Adams of Tool, Ashley McKee and husband, Scott of Eustace, and Sherry Sereboff of Austin; grandsons, Ryan and Ranger McKee of Eustace; sister, Judy Fly and husband, Jim of Mabank; sister-in-law, Beverly Hansen and husband, Jerry of Athens; nephew, Randy Fly; and nieces, Kim and Cindy Fly; as well as many great nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation is Wednesday, May 20th from 8-5 p.m. at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens. The family will be present to receive visitors from 5-8 p.m.
A celebration of life will be held at a future time at the Pinnacle Club with a private graveside service at Mount Zion Cemetery in Ranger, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Henderson County United Way.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.