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Lee Adams Obituary
1940-2015
Lee Adams was born in Houston, Texas on December 5 1940 to Carl and Ruth Carroll Adams. He attended St. Rose of Lima School and graduated from St. Thomas High School. He graduated from Texas A & M University in 1963.
Lee and Betty Leatherwood were married on June 1, 1963. He began his 49 year career in the Rice Industry immediately after graduation. He recently retired as President of American Rice, Inc.
Lee served as a long time board member and past Chairman of the USA Rice Millers' Association. He was a past officer of the USA Rice Council and the Rice Foundation. He served as Chairman of the USA Rice Federation and was received the RMA Distinguished Service Award, the association's highest honor.
Lee loved Texas A & M and was a dedicated fan of all Aggie sports, especially football. He was a member of the 12th Foundation and was in College Station for their winter meetings when he died.
He served as a member of the Discipleship Council at St. Laurence Catholic Church and as a board member of the St. John DeMatha Society.
He is survived by Betty, his wife of 51 years, his daughter Carroll Ann Adams, his Aunt Francis Carroll, his sister Diana Arnold and her husband John Arnold as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Diana Adams.
A Memorial Service will be held 10:00 AM, Friday February 20, 2015 at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land, TX. 77479. Inurnment will be at Morton Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to 12th Man Foundation, 1228 ATMU, College Station, TX 77841 or St. Laurence Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479
Memories and Condolences
for Lee Adams
33 Entries
February 26, 2015
Dear Betty-- Kindly accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of Lee, who was such a dear friend to so many. Since hearing the sad news, fond memories of my traveling times with Lee and our "Alpha Family" in Saudi & Greece keep echoing in my mind. May God's grace and peace be with you and Carol Ann, today and always...
-Jon Jacobson, Minneapolis
February 23, 2015
My condolences to your family during this time of grief.
February 23, 2015
Deepest condolences to the Adams family. May the loving kindness of GOD sustain you through this very difficult time.
Joe Westover
February 22, 2015
Mrs. Adams, I was very sorry to hear of Lee's passing. He was one of a kind. I will always remember him. RIP.
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SUSAN WHEELER
February 21, 2015
Mr.Adams was a man I admired greatly. I worked closely with his international staff at ARI, hearing many stories about Mr. A, as we called him. He was good to his employees and those that I knew, loved him and were fiercely protective of him. I will always remember him as a very intelligent man, true to his word, loyal and passionate about Texas A&M. God Bless him and his family. A great American he was.
Harry E. Pinkerton
February 20, 2015
My sympathy and prayer's for your loss. Having worked with Lee in various capacities during my tenure at ARI Houston , Freeport, Texas and Saudi Arabia I found him to be a cornerstone of professionalism and a friend in many ways . God Bless y'all in your loss.
Margaret Ramsaran
February 20, 2015
Betty and Carol Ann,I am very sad to hear of Lee's passing.May the love of family and friends,comfort you through this difficult
time.My prayers are with you.
Rest in peace Lee.
Conway & Lucy Shaw
February 19, 2015
Betty and Carol Ann, Lucy and I would like to express our deepest sympathy on Lee's passing. He was a wonderful person and friend. We will miss him.
Edis Oliver
February 19, 2015
Lee was a good friend, and I always enjoyed our conversations, discussions, and fellowship very much. I will really miss him, and just have not been able to get Lee, Betty, and Carol Ann out of my mind all week. Lee was the real deal, a genuine man who never stopped thinking of his family, his church, and Texas A&M. Not only did Lee have his values straight, he acted on them.
February 19, 2015
Betty, I just heard about Lee's death, and wish to offer our condolences and let you know how sorry we are to hear of this. He was a great leader and I was pleased to represent him and ARI in the legal battles, and proud to have worked on the trademarks for so many years. I am recovering from surgery done yesterday, otherwise I would be at the funeral service tomorrow.
Our prayers are with you. Betty and Paul DeVerter
February 19, 2015
Betty:
Lee will always have a special place in my heart. My prayers are with you and your family and he will truly be missed.
Jeanette Davis
USA Rice Federation
February 19, 2015
Betty, I am so sorry to hear of Lee's passing. My prayers are with you and your family. My love, Lorris (Lorrie) Foster
Ray and Patsey McKnight
February 19, 2015
Betty and Carol Ann, so very sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of Lee from our years as your neighbors. You are in our prayers.
February 19, 2015
Lee a member of Battling B, Dorm 1, I was in Spider D Dorm 3 our 4 yrs at TAMC. Although competitors in many aspects of Corps life, we became friends. We renewed our friendship during reunions and ballgames.
A good Aggie has past on.. he will be missed greatly. My condolences to Betty and the family.
Jim "Pete" Flores '63
Granbury, Tx
February 19, 2015
Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. May the God of all comfort, comfort you at this difficult time.
Don and Robbie Champion
February 19, 2015
We send our deepest sympathy and pray that our Lord will hold you in the palm of His hand and give you peace as only He can.
Petros Petrides
February 19, 2015
Betty, the news of Lee's passing away was a shock to us. Somehow, we thought the MAN would live forever! We have so many fond memories of his visits to Saudi Arabia, Greece, Cyprus and the UK. Developing and dominating the rice market in Saudi Arabia under the Abu Bint brand was a success story which will never be equalled. May he rest in peace.
Petros & Androula Petrides
Bob Christy
February 19, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of Lee's passing and for the family's loss. I knew Lee from St.Thomas and A&M. Although he was two years ahead of me he was always very friendly and kind to me. We were in B-1 together and as a freshman I looked up to Lee who was a junior. Again, he was a friend and later in years we saw each other at the Greenspoint Club.
Our prayers are with Lee and his family. Bob Christy
Loucas A. Ellinas and family
February 19, 2015
Dear Betty and Carol Ann, we were very saddened to learn of Lee's passing. Our caring thoughts and prayers are with you during another difficult time for your family. I am attaching one of my favorite photos of Lee and my father and believe that they have already found each other in heaven.
Alex Balafoutis
February 18, 2015
Betty and family, We are deeply saddened to hear about Lee's passing. While we were not personally close, I am pleased to have been able to serve on many committee's with him. I was always in awe of his knowledge of the industry and the insight he provided in guiding our industry forward. His jovial personality will truly be missed.
Alex T. Balafoutis - PGP International, Inc.
John Frank
February 18, 2015
I saw Lee at our monthly luncheons with our other Aggie Band '63 classmates. I really enjoyed listening to his endless stories about his time at A&M, the Marines and the Rice industry. Now those stories are silenced forever. He will be missed.
John Frank '63
Dick Ottis
February 18, 2015
We at Rice Belt Whse. want to express our sincere condolences to Betty and Carol Ann for the loss of such a dear friend and rice industry leader that we all will miss very much. Rice Belt Whse. Family
Glenn Nevins
February 18, 2015
Betty,
So sorry to learn of Lee's passing. If the World had more people like Lee in it, we would all be much better off. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ralph Newman
February 18, 2015
All of us that shared part of our lives with Lee were blessed by the experience. By any measure he was a good man, an example for us all. He is at peace with the Lord.
Ralph & Ann-Boyd Newman
Steve Mathiason
February 17, 2015
Betty- My whole family was saddened and shocked to hear of Lee's passing. He was truly one of the real unforgettable people I have ever known. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and Carroll Ann.
Mike Lojo
February 17, 2015
Betty & Carol Ann-it was at the 12:45 Mass that I heard Lee's name in the prayers for those who have died. It was just the week before we talked about the art excursion you all had made. He loved A&M and was developing a passion for Prison ministry. I believe his main love was God and Family. May you cherish in your hearts all the love he gave you in his lifetime. The candle is the light of Christ and the flames of AGGIE bonfire.
February 17, 2015
The US rice industry lost a revered giant and a true gentleman. Those of us that knew Lee personally lost a great mentor and friend. Rest in Peace Lee.
Mark Denman
RiceTec, Inc and
Former Chairman USA Rice Federation
Barbara Skinner
February 16, 2015
Betty, I am so sorry to get this news. Lee was always so supportive of all our children . He was constantly encouraging every one and we had such good times with you all at ball games ,track meets! I feel as tho I have lost a long time friend.
May God's Grace surround you and Carol Ann at this time.
Mark Wieser
February 16, 2015
Betty, words cannot describe how saddened I and the Fischers were to hear the tragic news. All of his B-1 Aggies will be there for you on Friday. I will never forget what a great man he was.
Ben Campbell
February 16, 2015
Betty, I was so sorry to learn of Lee's passing. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Osborne
February 16, 2015
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU.(4/8) SYMPATHY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
February 16, 2015
Our Houston area Aggie Band classmates welcomed Lee to our group luncheons. Although not a Band member, he was a welcome addition to our group and shared many interesting stories to complement ours concerning our time at Texas A&M. We will miss him.
Bob Mills '63
Sluggo Williams
February 15, 2015
I am without words. I am very sad to have lost a very good friend.
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St. Laurence Catholic Church
3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, TX
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