Allan Adams Obituary

James Allan Adams, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away on December 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 7th at 11:00 am at the Ralls First Baptist Church with a graveside following at the Ralls Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 6th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Adams Funeral Home in Ralls, Texas where Allan devoted nearly 50 years to serving the people of Crosby County.
Allan was born on January 7, 1945 in Levelland, Texas. Growing up in a farming family, Allan knew by the age of six that his calling lay elsewhere; he wanted to be a funeral director. After graduation from Floydada High School in 1963, he pursued his calling and lifelong passion and moved to Dallas, Texas to attend mortuary school. Upon graduation from Gupton-Jones Institute of Mortuary Science in 1964, he moved to Ralls to work for Millard and Fredda Carter at Carter Funeral Home. He also attended Texas Tech University and later served in the US Marine Corps reserves for six years as a Staff Sergeant.
Allan met Linda Gail Ward on a blind date, and they were married on December 11, 1969, in Idalou, Texas. Allan and Gail purchased King Funeral Home in Crosbyton in 1973 and later partnered with the Carters in Carter Adams Funeral Home in Ralls. They eventually expanded to Lorenzo, Texas in 1995 and rebranded the funeral homes to Adams Funeral Home with locations in Ralls, Crosbyton and Lorenzo. Allan and Gail faithfully served families in the Crosby County area for their entire careers with passion and professionalism.
Allan was an active member of the community. He was a member of the Ralls First Baptist Church, a proud 32nd Degree Mason and he belonged to the Ralls Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Khiva Shrine. Allan strongly supported the Scottish Rite Shriner's Hospital for Children, passionately advocating for its mission of helping children in need.
Allan was very active in the Texas Funeral Directors Association where he served on the Board of Directors from 1986-1987, and also the West Texas and the Panhandle Funeral Directors Associations. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Crosbyton Hospital, White River Water District and Directors Investment Group in Abilene. Allan and Gail moved to Robson Ranch in Denton, Texas after retirement and became members at Fellowship at the Ranch Church.
Allan was a passionate family man, and he loved to travel all over the world with his wife, kids and grandkids. He attended every one of their sporting events, school activities and was their biggest cheerleader. He and Gail loved traveling and making memories with their close friends from FDLIC. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time at their lake house at White River playing cards with friends and family. Las Vegas was one of his favorite destinations and you could always find him playing a slot machine where he earned a reputation for being exceptionally lucky! Known for his warm hugs, generous spirit, and unwavering support for friends, family, and strangers alike, Allan left a mark on everyone he met.
Allan is survived by his loving wife, Gail, daughter Kandace Adams Arrott and son-in-law Brian Arrott (San Angelo, Texas) and his son Bryan Adams and daughter-in-law Robyn Adams (Highland Village, Texas). Known as Dig Dig to his grandkids, who were the joy of his life, he is survived by his granddaughter McKenzie Arrott Hall and her husband, Preston Hall, and his grandsons Carter Arrott, Asher Adams and Shiloh Adams. Allan was also very excited about the newest addition to the family, his great-grandson, Hutch Hall. Also surviving him are his brother Larry Adams and wife Lois Ann (Roby, Texas) and many nieces and nephews that he loved very much. He was preceded in death by his parents R. H. and Cordelia Adams, his brother Wayne Adams and his grandson Titus Adams.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Scottish Rite Shriner's Hospital for Children: 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219.