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David Monroe Adams, 77, of Clover, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2022, in Sylva, North Carolina, near their home in the mountains.
Born in York County on February 13, 1945, David was the son of the late Robert Ewart Adams and Mary Lee Currence Adams of Bowling Green, South Carolina.
A graduate of Clover High School, David honorably joined the North Carolina Air National Guard on November 21, 1964 and shortly thereafter became a full-time employee (Air Technician), serving until his retirement on February 11, 2005. He had a total of 11,363 flying hours in the C-124 Globemaster and his beloved C-130 Hercules aircraft completing over 40 years of faithful and dedicated service. In addition he had 938 Instructor hours, 284 Examiner Hours and 47 combat sorties during his flying career. During his time with the Guard, David served in active war zones air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas, carried out firefighting duties for the US Forest Service, flew natural disaster relief missions, competed in the Air Mobility Rodeo, and touched down on every continent except Antarctic. And if not for adverse weather conditions (twice!) he would have made it there as well. David concluded his career overseeing the Flight Engineer section. His family remains very proud of his rank as Chief Master Sergeant with the Guard, where he polished the traits which made him the fine, upstanding man he was. These years of service surely contributed to his meticulous planning and his ability to fix anything we managed to break, which was a lot. He just simply took care of everything, he had a way to solve any problem, fix what was broken, right the wrongs, or just make things right with the world.
During David’s military service he earned multiple decorations, medals, badges, and commendations including the Meritorious Service Medal w/1 device, Air Medal w/3 devices, Aerial Achievement Medal w/8 devices, Air Force Commendation Medal w/2 devices, Air Force Achievement Medal w/2 devices, AF Outstanding Unit Award w/4 devices, Combat Readiness Medal w/10 devices, ARF Meritorious Service Medal w/11 devices, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 device, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal w/5 devices, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, North Carolina Distinguished Service Medal, NCNG Commendation Medal, NCNG State Active Duty Award, NCNG Service Award. David also served in both Operation Desert Shield & Storm.
David’s love of sports was life long, from watching to playing, David loved it all. After playing football in high school, he enjoyed years of playing softball with the Oakdale Church team, the Mad Dogs team & the Air National Guard team, traveling near and far to tournaments. He was also a devoted sports father to Leslie and Stacie. Coaching and chauffeuring in their early years and then never missing a game or match through high school for both and through a college and professional career for Leslie. And later enjoying Clover High School Football every Friday night with lifelong friend Mike Lollis. He always made sure to message Stacie abroad with score updates for the Gamecocks even though he was a devoted Clemson fan.
In their later years, the Mountain House became a new place of joy for David and Judy. It was here they filled the house with family fun, welcome chaos and most importantly peace and quiet; watching momma & baby bears frolic in their yard, feeding the wild turkeys so they would come closer for Judy to enjoy, enjoying rides on the 4 wheelers, relishing in nature and the beautiful seasons. They enjoyed a fresh blanket of snow on the ground and the rising and setting sun. Watching the weather, planning his day and letting you know what was getting ready to happen outside made him very happy.
Most importantly, David treasured the privilege of being a husband to Judy for 54 years and father to Leslie and Stacie, the loves of his life. David was known for many, many things, but most notably his devotion to his wife, Judy, whom he hand-picked in the 7th grade. Words can scarcely describe how devoted David was to Judy and the devotion and adoration was reciprocated, everyday! David loved to bring home presents from every long Guard trip and especially loved gifting Judy with Birds of Paradise and “lily pad flowers” from those tough deployments in Hawaii.
In his life, David was a devoted husband, father, papa, son, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, brother, and friend. Words cannot describe the devastation of the loss of him to our world.
Survivors include his wife Judy Carol McMackin Adams, daughter Leslie Carole Adams (Jeanine), twin granddaughters Claye and Colby of Durham, NC and daughter Catherine Stacie Adams of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Also surviving are brother Craig Adams (Ann), sister-in-law Barbara M. Warlick, brother-in-law Timothy McMackin and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, David is preceded in death by his brother, Robert Adams, his brother-in-law, Dr. John T. Warlick, III, and his father- & mother-in-law, Bryant Clay McMackin & June Stowe McMackin.
On Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 11:00 am, a service to celebrate the life of David Monroe Adams will be held at Oakdale Presbyterian Church (12585 State Hwy 55, Clover, South Carolina), the same church David and Judy were married in 54 and a half years ago. The service will be officiated by his nephew, Reverend Tony Adams, followed by internment, also at Oakdale, and a short visitation with the family. Interment will be at the church cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers include Steve Brown, Richard Hord, Mike Lollis, Ned Seaman, Dave Stubbs, Jim Young, Tommy Wilcox. Honorary Pallbearers include RO Atikinson, Jim Black, Dave Harris, Kenny McMackin, Bill Rhyne and Carl Webb.
Following the service, the family will return to Sylva for a time. They thank you for your love, prayers and acts of kindness and respectfully request privacy at this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Airmen & Family Readiness Center (FAFRC) 4930 Minuteman Way, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.