CHARLES D. ADAMS obituary

GREAT FALLS - Charles Daniel "Charlie" Adams, 48, died peacefully on Sunday, June 27, 2004, of adenocarcinoma in his family's home in Great Falls.

Graveside services and burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Inverness Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.

Charles was born in Havre to Charles and Virginia (Richter) Adams on Dec. 14, 1955. He grew up in the Inverness community. After graduating from Inverness High School in 1974, he worked in construction with Warhank's of Rudyard.

In 1975, Charles enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in the Azores to fulfill his overseas duty. During his two enlistments he attained the rank of staff sergeant and specialized in liquid fuels maintenance. Following eight years of military service, he received his honorable discharge in 1983 and returned to Montana.

Charles worked as a custodian at Blue Sky Schools in Rudyard. In 1987, he moved to Texas to be near his brother, Mike. While living in Amarillo, he met his wife-to-be, Gaylon Widener, and they were married in 1991. During those seven years in Texas, Charles worked at the Plains Creamery and at the Owens-Corning fiberglass plant in Amarillo.

Charles and his family moved back to Montana in 1995. He worked at J-I Schools, where he eventually became the head custodian. In October 2003, he moved to Great Falls, where he worked at Dick Anderson Construction. In May 2004, he was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. During this past month, he was cared for by his family at their Great Falls home.

As an infant, Charles was baptized in the Catholic faith at Sacred Heart Church in Inverness. During his high school years, he enjoyed athletics and participated in all sports. As an adult, he spent most of his leisure time either hunting or fishing. He was a cowboy at heart, with a lifelong love of horses, old Western movies and country music.

Charles was a hard worker who was not afraid to get his hands dirty and always took pride in his work. His good work ethic, attitude and integrity were some of the reasons he was so well liked in the community. After Charles was diagnosed with cancer, the J-I students dedicated the state track meet to him.

Charles and Gaylon were raising Gaylon's two grandsons, whom Charles loved as his own. He beamed with pride as he taught them his personal hunting and fishing skills and offered fatherly advice to direct them toward manhood.

Charles was preceded in death by an infant brother.

Survivors include his wife, Gaylon Adams of Great Falls; sons, Charles and Jacob Adams of Bossier City, La.; stepchildren, Carrie Davis of Borger, Texas, Brad Rice of Dumas, Texas, and Jake Rice of Great Falls; grandsons; parents, Charles and Virginia Adams of Inverness; siblings, Mike Adams of San Coulee, Todd Adams of Helena and Shelly VanWechel of Joplin; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.