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Fred Lawrence Adair

1923 - 2017

Fred Adair Obituary

ALEXANDRIA - Fred Lawrence Adair age 93, a former resident of Williamsburg, VA, died Thursday morning May 18, 2017 in Alexandria, VA. Mr. Adair was born in Bigelow, Arkansas on August 20, 1923. He was the son of Fred Adair and Eva Wann Adair of Little Rock, Arkansas. His mother predeceased him in 1950 and his father in 1967. Mr. Adair had an illustrious 93+ years with many public faces. College professor, marriage and family counselor, high school teacher, church elder, businessman, Marine Corps officer, fighter pilot, and Southwestern Bell lineman were amongst his private sector and civic roles, going back to his teenage years in Little Rock, Arkansas. His longest continuous service was as Professor in the School of Education at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. He retired in 1992 after twenty-one years of service. During those same years, he also founded the Family Counseling Center in the School of Education, and served as Chair of the National Board of Certified Counselors. He continued to be active after retirement, teaching as an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, leading anger management sessions for inmates in the Yorktown Corrections Department, and chairing the minister's search committee for the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists. He leaves behind many grateful friends from his years of dedicated service to his fellow man. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Joan Sprigle-Adair of Alexandria, VA, whose four children and their families welcomed him as father and grandfather in their lives: Wendy Sprigle of Charlottesville, VA; Stephen and Shari Sprigle and family of Atlanta, GA; David Aden Sprigle of Hilo, HI; Corine Sprigle-Fesler and Garrett Fesler and family of Alexandria, VA. He was predeceased in 1997 by his first wife, Martha Jordan Adair, originally of Washington, NC. They are survived by their two sons, Fred Lawrence Adair Jr of Chestnut Hill, MA, and Charles Ottis Jordan Adair of Chapel Hill, NC; two daughters, Martha Jane Adair Moore of Pittsboro, NC and Carolyn Adair Maddox of Raleigh, NC; and three grandchildren. Mr. Adair was a lifelong hiker and outdoorsman. His body was cremated and his ashes will be scattered later this year, in accordance with his wishes, on his favorite section of The Appalachian Trail in western Virginia.

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Published by Virginia Gazette on Jun. 24, 2017.

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6 Entries

Diana Musick

June 27, 2017

I am sorry to hear of the passing of professor Adair. More than anyone else he influenced my choice to pursue a career in working with families. I was inspired by his passion for this work not only while in undergrad and graduate school but for many years later as he kept up with me, my continued training and work with families. He influenced so many others through his dedication to improving the lives of others. What a meaningful legacy to leave. A life well lived indeed.

June 26, 2017

Joan, I was so sad to hear the news about Fred. Take care.
Fay Hoerger

June 25, 2017

Dear Joan, So saddened to read of Fred's death and offer you and your family my deepest sympathy. Trust you have as fond memories of your and my time on the mats in yoga class together as I do. Fred and I go back even farther since he was my advisor in my masters program at W & M, a neighbor who lived just down the street and the treasurer of my first run for city council of Williamsburg. The world was a better place with him in it.Jock and I send our love to you and the family.Mary Lee Darling

June 25, 2017

Dearest Joan --

I was saddened to read of Fred's passing and offer you and your family my deepest sympathy. I have fond memories of our dinners in Williamsburg during our time at NASA. Miss you.

Marny Skora

Ben Roberts

June 24, 2017

I am sorry to hear of Dr. Adair's passing. I have not seen him for 57 years, but I always remembered how he would speak to me when he saw me in Jordan Hardware in Washington, NC, even though I was same age as older of his daughters. Sorry when they moved away when we were in 6th grade. Sorry I did not get to play baseball anymore with his son Fred. It sounds like he had good life even after he left Washington, so I am happy because of that.

Ellen K Rudolph

June 24, 2017

Dear Joan, my thoughts are with you. I tried emailing you at your cox.net email address to no avail.

Dr. Fred was my mentor and friend for many, many years, dating back to my graduate school days at W&M in the early 70's. We kept in touch all these years which I appreciated greatly.

He and I shared an abiding interest in the study of the FAMILY. I will always be aligned with the BOWEN THEORY that, in so many ways, inspires how I think about life today. Dr. Fred shared that enthusiasm with me, I know.

I would like to talk with you. Please let me know how to contact you, Joan.

Ellen Kean Rudolph
[email protected]
352.533.0936

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