Tommy Adams

Tommy Adams

SHREVEPORT, LA -- Shreveport Battalion Fire Chief, Tommy Lee Adams, left this world early Saturday morning, December 12th. Chief Tommy was critically injured during the Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras parade, by a fall from a Shreveport Fire Dept. Ladder Truck. The fall resulted in severe neck fractures and traumatic brain injury, and Chief Adams has remained in a coma since the fall. Chief Tommy lost his 10 month battle to recover due to pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 15th from 1:00 until 9:00 PM at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Marshall Street. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 16th, 10:30 AM at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport with interment at Forest Park West. Chief Tommy Adams will be buried with full Firefighter Honors in accordance to line of duty deaths. Services for Chief Adams will be led by Pastor Rick Edmonds of Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport, Durrell Tuberville, Chaplin for Caddo Sheriff's office, and Brian Hollins, Chaplin for Shreveport Fire Department.

Tommy Adams was born January 21st, 1957 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is a 1975 graduate of Fair Park High School and attended college at Northeast Louisiana University until 1977, when he received the call from Shreveport Fire Department. Tommy became a member of the Shreveport Fire Department family, July 18th, 1977, and began his career of 32 years at Station 15.

Tommy became one of the first Paramedics in Northwest Louisiana in 1985. He was promoted to Fire Medic Officer in January of 1988 and spent this part of his career as a Medic Officer on Medic 10, Station 10, at Line and Oneonta Street. In July of 1994, Tommy was appointed to the position of Emergency Medical Supervisor for C-shift and stationed Downtown at Central Fire Station. Tommy spent the next 13 years in the role of EMS Supervisor. During this time and throughout his career, Tommy has received numerous awards and accommodations including the first Medical Director's Award for outstanding service, dedication, and professionalism in the field of Para medicine in 1996,given by Doctor Ronald Lambert. Tommy was also the recipient of the award for Outstanding Officer of the Year in 2002. In 1998, under the direction of Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, the city added a 2nd EMS Supervisor position and Tommy was asked to establish this position at Station 19, which he did. Tommy remained at Station 19, Car 83 EMS Supervisor until January of 2007, when he was promoted to Battalion Chief.

Tommy became a flight crew member of Schumpert Medical Centers, Life Air One in 1989. Tommy flew as a Flight Paramedic with Life Air One and became a charter crew member of Life Air Rescue in January of 1994. Tommy continued to work as a Flight Paramedic from 1994 until his injury earlier this year, making his total career in flight/air rescue services, 19 years. Tommy loved his crew and flight partners, and enjoyed every day that he was a part of the Life Air Rescue family. He will be missed.

The world was a better place for having Tommy Adams as a part of it. Tommy was known for his gentle spirit, loving nature, infectious laugh, corny jokes, and of course, a smile that would light up a room. Tommy's dedication to his roles with both Shreveport Fire Dept. and Life Air Rescue defined professionalism, ethics, and quality unlike any before him, and few after him. Tommy loved to help others. He loved being a Paramedic and it showed in every scene he responded to, every class he taught, every young Firefighter he mentored, and every patient he touched. Tommy Lee Adams was in a class by himself. The loss of his presence will be felt throughout this city.

Tommy was preceded in death by his stepmother, Mrs. Mary Gail Adams, and his beloved uncle, Pete Zylkes of Dayton, Texas.

Left to cherish his memory are the three loves of his life, his wife of 17 years, Traci Lee Dowden Adams, daughters, Jordan Alexandria "Alex" (15), and Kristen Mackenzie Adams (who will turn 10 on December 19th).

Tommy is also survived by his parents, Betty and Turk Davis of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Dock E. Adams of Louisville, KY; sisters, Teri Applewhite and husband BJ, and Robin Cullington of Shreveport, Becky Berry and husband Josh, Lisa Adams, and Ruth Adams of Louisville, KY; brothers, Clem Adams and wife Gina of LaGrange, KY, Billy Adams and wife Sydney, Paul Adams and wife Tasha and Dock Adams, Jr. of Louisville, KY.

Left also to cherish his memory are, Traci's parents, his loving Mother and Father-in-law, Jack and Caorlyn Dowden of Shreveport, LA, and his brother-in-law, Randy Dowden and wife Danielle of Shreveport, LA. Their love and constant support, both before and after Tommy's injury was the cornerstone of strength that this family needed. Tommy is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, and many, many, many friends.

Serving as Pallbearers will be, Shreveport Fire Chief Brian Crawford, Shreveport Fire Captains, Mike Mackey, Leland McNabb, Tim Thames, Todd Cash, retired Fire Chief's John Fulco and Mark Conella, Clem Adams, Randy Dowden, Charlie Browning, Jon McClure, and Greg Baird. Honorary Pallbearers will be Shreveport Fire Dept., Life Air Rescue, Caddo Fire District number 3, Caddo Fire District number 6, and retired Fire Captain, Robert W. Dodson.

The family would like to express their deep, heartfelt love and appreciation to Doctor Robert Hernandez and his staff (esp. his Nurse Practitioner, Laura), whose love and support for all of Tommy's needs and welfare was a daily constant in the lives of Traci, Tommy, and the girls. Doctor Hernandez went above and beyond for Tommy Adams, from the injury, until his death. His generosity, and his wife's Malinda, define how we are to love and serve one another, we are forever in their debt. We would also like to thank the staff of Willis Knighton's Emergency Room, Dr. Ed. Paul, ICU staff, Dr. David Green, Dr. Ravish Patwarden, Dr. Beal, and the staff of LifeCare Hospital. A special Thank-you to Priority Staffing for their tireless effort in Tommy's daily care at home for the last 5 months.

1 Kings 18:36

"Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word." Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Marshall Street, 318-222-0348