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Phillip Reese Adams M.D.

Phillip Reese Adams M.D. obituary, Houston, TX

Phillip Adams Obituary

PHILLIP REESE ADAMS, M.D. 1951-2016 Phillip Reese Adams, M.D. passed away on Saturday, the 24th of September, 2016 at his home in Houston, Texas, leaving behind a wonderful legacy of generosity, love and dedication to family, friends and patients that touched and influenced the lives of many. Dr. Adams, a native of Chester, Pennsylvania, was born on the 18th of February 1951, and was one of four children. He was raised in the Port Arthur, Texas area. Dr. Adams graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he was a top scholar and the captain of the football team. His stellar medical career began in 1973 at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He began his surgical residency at UT in 1976 and was selected for a cardiovascular and thoracic surgical residency at the Texas Heart Institute with Dr. Denton A. Cooley. During the 1980s this team of talented surgeons performed approximately 4,500 open heart cases a year. Dr. Adams' awards and accomplishments as a cardiovascular/ thoracic surgeon and professor cannot be adequately summarized. During his long career, he was a proud student, colleague and friend of innumerable physicians in Houston, including Dr. Cooley, Dr. Stanley Dudrick and Dr. ""Red"" Duke. He co-authored numerous research papers, including those on ground-breaking work with Dr. Cooley on cardiac valve replacements. His contributions to medical literature appeared in respected publications such as the Journal of Surgical Research and The Texas Heart Institute Journal. Devoted to improving trauma care, Dr. Adams helped pioneer the Life Flight program and worked tirelessly to save lives in the emergency room and operating room. In 2013, he received the Hermann Hospital Distinguished Physician Award. Until his illness this past year, he remained an active surgeon teaching young doctors as an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center.


An avid hunter, Dr. Adams pursued that passion on wildlife expeditions around the world including France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain. For decades, and as his work commitment allowed, he spent countless hours working on his beloved deer leases in South Texas during hunting season and off-season as well. He loved the outdoors, whether tracking exotic game in Africa or tending the plants in his yard in Houston.


On a hunting safari in Mozambique in 2008, Dr. Adams married Karen Maston Adams. A bush pilot flew them to a remote camp where they tracked game for several hours every day and were married in a traditional ceremony with wedding bands made of elephant hair. Upon their return to Houston, they had a second ceremony with family and friends before a romantic honeymoon in Paris and Venice. Years later they returned to Venice to celebrate their marriage at the annual gondola races. Both ardent travelers, Dr. and Mrs. Adams visited Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in June of this year. Most mornings, they rose before sunrise to watch the wildlife begin the day. They climbed to the top of Inspiration Point to view the sunset, their last trip, a magical tribute to their abiding love for each other and their shared passions.


More important to him than his impressive professional accolades, Dr. Adams was a loving and nurturing husband, father, brother, and friend. A proud father, Dr. Adams could always be seen at his childrens' sporting and theatrical events, serving as a coach for his son's teams or supporting his daughter in her many plays and musicals. Dr. Adams is survived by his loving wife, Karen Maston Adams, his son and daughter-in-law, Travis and Molly Adams, his daughter, Taylor Anne Adams, his stepdaughter, Kelsey Maston Brooks and her fiancé Josh Wright, step daughter Cody Maston Brooks, his siblings and his large circle of friends and colleagues.


A service celebrating Dr. Adams' life will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Bradshaw Carter, 1734 W. Alabama, Houston, Texas 77098 from one until three in the afternoon. In memory of his dedication to serving others, a scholarship fund has been established to honor his legacy of excellence in the medical field. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send gifts to the Dr. Phillip R. Adams Scholarship at the McGovern Medical School, UT Health, P.O. Box 1321, Houston, Texas 77251.
Published by Houston Chronicle from Sep. 30 to Oct. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Phillip Adams

Sponsored by Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services - Houston.

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15 Entries

Janie Garza-Sedlacek

September 25, 2024

It's been 8 years since you left this earth, yet you are missed like the first day. You left an immense void in the Med Ctr, and even bigger shoes to fill, but the broken hearts you left the day you left are countless. I will carry your memory and friendship in my heart forever. Thankful for the many years we worked together, thankful for the wonderful memories. Honored to have called you friend. You are truly missed, my dear Sweetie...

Mario Kapusta

September 24, 2024

I remember Phil everyday. He was the smartest person I ever met.
Still repeat so many of his sayings.
Miss you Phil.

Mario

September 24, 2023

Not a day goes by that I don´t think about Phil. Gone way too soon.

Debbie Harader

July 24, 2017

It is with great sorrow that I just learned of Phil's passing. I worked for him for 14 years, building a practice anyone could be proud of. He was wonderful to me and my family during my husband's devastating illness and consequent death from ALS. He was one of the most brilliant shining stars in surgical history as well as a compassionate and honest friend. My belated condolences to Sharon and family.

Kim Brusenhan Youngblood

February 25, 2017

I sincerely apologize for not being in touch sooner!! Paul Pace told me about Phil's passing over the holidays and I was shocked! I got to know Phil through his visits to San Antonio and our children growing up together. What a beautiful tribute to his life. I love knowing how in love, HAPPY and fulfilled he was until he left for eternity. Heaven is definitely a brighter place now! All my live to each of you!!

Boris Bratovich

October 21, 2016

I had the honor and privilege to work for Dr. Adams and Dr.Mario Kapusta from 1993-1997. As a young inexperienced physician assistant, he gave the opportunity to learn from him, as well as his long time colleague. One of the things Dr. Adams thought me was the meaning of family, and how that was the most important thing in anyone's life. I still remember a note he gave me upon leaving his practice where he wrote, "Take care of that family". I will never forget that, and is something I try to do on a daily basis. The trust he had in me to take care of his patients is something I will always cherish.I will miss him.

Boris Bratovich, PA-C

October 17, 2016

Dave and Teri Wilson

Dr. Stephen Fletcher

October 16, 2016

I had the honor to work with Phil Since 1985. One of the most talented chest and vascular surgeons to enter an operating room. His family and friends can be proud to know that those hours away were spent saving numerous lives or improving the outcome for many. He was a great friend and clinician.

Joanna Tipton

October 6, 2016

I had the immense pleasure of working for Phil, and the profound honor of knowing him. His unwavering kindness to me and to my family is something that will never be forgotten.

"Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower, we will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind."

Ms. Monique R. Nunley

October 4, 2016

To the family of Dr. Phillip Reese Adams; I offer my condolence. Dr. Adams spoke of you often and with great pride. I pray that God will give you the strength to see your way through this difficult time.

Dr. Adams spent over 40 years on the halls of UT McGovern Medical School, Memorial Hermann Hospital, and LBJ Hospital, which is where I first began working for him. I will miss hearing his distinct shuffle as he walked down the hallway, and seeing his smiling face and long flowing silver hair as he poked his head into my office.

Dr. Adams will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but his spirit and his legacy will live forever.

Rest In Heaven.......

Phillip R. Adams, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Acute Care Surgery

PRA/mrn

Terry & Glad Pierson

October 3, 2016

A great hunter with a real sense of humour, a very loyal friend who will be sorely missed. Tay Tay and Travis you are our thoughts and prayers. We know how much Keith will miss your Dad.

Rachel Enriquez, CMA

October 3, 2016

Your legacy and love for life will live forever. You will indeed be missed daily by many.

John and Barbara Barges

October 2, 2016

Phil touched and inspired countless lives including myself. I consider myself blessed for having known him. He exuded exceptionalism professionally, personally and socially. The world benefited by Phil's life and legacy. And knowing Phil he's in heaven maxing out his contribution to help humanity in the after life.

Janie Garza-Sedlacek

October 1, 2016

Rest in peace my dear sweetie. Forever in my heart...

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Memorial Events
for Phillip Adams

Oct

22

Service

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Bradshaw Carter

1734 W. Alabama, Houston, TX 77098

Funeral services provided by:

Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services - Houston

1734 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098

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