James Carlie Adams II

1941 - 2023

James Carlie Adams II
August 25, 1941 - June 21, 2023
Suffolk, Virginia - James Carlie Adams II, Chairman of AMADAS Industries Inc., died Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at home in Suffolk, VA at the age of 81.
Jim was born August 25, 1941, in Raleigh, NC, and was raised on the family tobacco farm in Willow Spring, by his father James Carlie Adams and mother Julia Hobbs Adams. He had two siblings: Patricia Anne Bullard and William Jackson (Billy) Adams, both deceased.
Jim attended Staunton Military Academy, where he played varsity football. He attended North Carolina State University, studied Mechanical Engineering and was an active member of Kappa Alpha Order where his brothers appreciated his mechanical aptitude in converting a Nehi soda vending machine into a cold beer machine.
After college Jim served in the Army National Guard, and joined his uncle Oliver K. Hobbs to found Hobbs-Adams Engineering Co. in Suffolk, VA. Before the business became known internationally for its peanut harvesting equipment, Jim traveled the Southeast showing the first model Hobbs peanut digger - towed by his Corvette Stingray. Jim went on to travel the globe to develop markets in South America, Africa, and Australia. Hobbs-Adams would grow to become AMADAS Industries and continues to be a world leader in advanced equipment for peanut farmers.
An entrepreneur at heart, Jim founded new businesses in the horticultural products space, including Pioneer Southern with 13 plants in the US, and Pin Decor S.A. with 2 plants in France. He ventured into the luxury motor coach conversion business, founding AMADAS Coach and would later acquire Featherlite Coaches.
Jim enjoyed downhill skiing, tennis, and offshore fishing. He and his brother Billy competed in marlin tournaments, fishing the Atlantic and Caribbean on Southern Comfort hailing from Atlantic Beach, NC. He was an avid golfer and a founding partner of Nansemond River Golf Club. He also was a car enthusiast and racing fan, and for years faithfully made an annual motor coach expedition to Florida with friends to golf and attend the Daytona 500.
Beyond his success in business, Jim's greatest source of happiness and pride was his family. He worked each day with his son Jimmy and daughter Shannon, spoke with his brother Billy daily, and tremendously enjoyed his grandchildren.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 54 years, Dana Heard Adams; his son, James C. Adams III (Hannah); his daughter, Shannon Adams Woodward (Thomas); and his grandchildren, Julia Morgan Adams, James C. Adams IV, and Anna Fariss Woodward.
Family will receive friends 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at R.W Baker & Co. Downtown Suffolk Chapel, 509 W. Washington St. A private committal of cremated remains will take place in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's honor be made to his & Dana's favorite causes or to the charity of your choice. Memorial donations are sincerely appreciated and can be made to Nansemond River Garden Club, Cedar Hill Project, 138 Creek Front Ln. Suffolk, Va. 23435 or Suffolk Art League, P.O. Box 1086 Suffolk, Va. 23439. Online condolences may be registered at www.RWBakerFH.com.