James R. "Dick" Adams, age 76, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024, in Edmond, Oklahoma, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's disease. He was a beloved dad, husband, grandpa, coach, and educator. He was born November 13, 1947 in Lawton, Oklahoma to James and Leona (Lynch) Adams, Dick loved Lawton, and made it his lifetime home. He was an avid sports fan and loved the game of golf. He loved his family, laughed with his friends, and cherished his students. Dick loved Friday night lights and cheering on the Lawton High Wolverines. He was a loud supporter of both the Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys – depending on who was winning. Dick made a lasting impact on the Lawton community and leaves behind a legacy through all who knew him.

Dick married his wife and love, Marsha Millender Bowles, on January 1, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together, they were the formidable duo of "DA" and "MA", known "coast-to-coast" for their combined skill and high scores while dominating NTN Trivia. They shared a love for concerts, spending time together on their back deck with their dogs, traveling, and were well known at their favorite restaurant, Mike's Sports Grille.

Dick is remembered for his work ethic, his love of Corvettes, Wayne's Sissy Cheeseburgers, milkshakes, and peanut M&M's. He liked to relax by watching Law and Order, Whose Line Is It Anyway, Judge Judy, and listening to the police scanner. He was silly, serious, smart, and quick-witted. He loved to sing along to Barry Manilow, Lionel Richie, Air Supply, the Eagles, the Beach Boys, and Chicago. Late in life, he attended First Baptist Church of Lawton, where he enjoyed the Word and the message delivered by the late Shane Hall.

A proud 1965 alumnus of Lawton High School, Dick's prowess on the baseball field led him to play in three high school state championship games, securing two state titles for the Wolverines. Dick's love for the game earned him baseball scholarships at Oklahoma Baptist University and then Cameron College, where he graduated and began his career as a sportswriter for The Lawton Constitution. Not ready to hang up the cleats, Dick played for the Semi-Pro Lawton Pepsis in the late 1960's, where he made lifelong friends. He went on to earn two master's degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. An educator, coach, counselor, and administrator for 41 years, Dick is remembered by many for his role in their life as teacher and coach. As head girls' basketball coach, Coach Adams led Geronimo to a memorable Comanche County Tournament win in 1972. This achievement was not replicated for 52 years until, one week prior to Dick's death, the Geronimo girls won the tournament again. There would have been no one better to appreciate that accomplishment than Coach Adams. Hired at Lawton High School in 1973 to start the girls' basketball program, Coach Adams spent 26 years at Lawton High. During that time, he coached basketball, tennis, baseball, and softball. He also taught Drivers Ed and History. He then became a counselor, followed by an assistant principal, before leaving LHS in 1999. Mr. Adams continued his career in school administration as Principal of Taft Alternative School, Tomlinson Junior High School, and the LPS Student Adjustment Program. He retired from Lawton Public Schools in May 2011 with 38 years of service to the district and the community. Dick believed that every student deserves a chance to learn and to find success in life, no matter their background or circumstance.

More than a coach, Dick was also a respected high school basketball official, officiating across Oklahoma for over 30 years. In 2014, he was recognized for his years of commitment and achievement with his induction into the Oklahoma Officials Association Hall of Fame. In retirement, Dick shared his love for golf at Lawton Municipal Golf Course, where he hung out with friends, blasted his oldies music, talked shop, and enjoyed life "working" at the driving range. Dick spent the last three years of his life at St. Katharine's Drexel Retirement Center in El Reno, Oklahoma. At St. Katharine's, Dick is remembered for his sense of humor, for his kindness and compassion for other residents, his teaching ways, and for his "lucky" bingo cards (accompanied with his unrelenting competitive spirit).

Dick is survived by his wife, Marsha, and his children: Holly Devine, Lawton, OK; Heather Moore (Will), Kansas City, MO; Ashlee Adams Rich (Nicholas), Edmond, OK; Abby Stewart (Rob), Broken Arrow, OK; Brent Bowles, Washington, D.C. Grandchildren: Amber Brooksher (Tyler); Hayden, Jacob (KaLee), and Gracie Devine; Aaron and Adron Rich; Charlotte Taylor and Shepherd Stewart. Great-grandchildren: Noah and Beckett Devine; Ava Brooksher.

He is also survived by sister Janet Allison (Wayne); nieces Sarah Hutchison (Brandon), Tracie Burns; sisters-in-law Liz Grant (Ross), Debbie Widdig (Jay); Uncle Gary Adams (Cheryl); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Charles and Jane Millender, grandparents Dennis and Ethel (Weaver) Lynch, James E. and Estelle (Hardy) Adams, and son-in-law Todd Devine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation in remembrance of Dick's courageous fight.

Please join us as we celebrate the life of James R. "Dick" Adams, Friday, March 1, 2024, at 1:30 pm, at Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel in Lawton, Oklahoma.

The service may be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Facebook page.