James Lee Adams Jr.

James Lee Adams, Jr., 82, was born on January 2, 1943 in Camilla, GA and died on October 1, 2025. His parents were James Lee Adams, Sr. and Ruth Borland Adams. James graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Management in 1965 and earned an MBA from Auburn University in 1966, where he taught undergraduate courses. He briefly worked at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation before marrying Sue Martin in January 1968 and moving to Camilla. They were married for over 52 years.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 3 at Camilla United Methodist Church with interment in Oakview Cemetery. Rev. Chris Shoemaker and Rev. Keith Goodlett will officiate.

James and Sue had three daughters: Victoria Ruth Adams Davis (Kip), Susan Lee Adams Glass (Mark), and Sarah Lynne Adams, all of Camilla. He has seven grandchildren: James David Davis (Jelly), Susan Grace Davis Whitehead (Spencer), John Daniel Davis, Elizabeth Anne Glass, Mark Alan Glass, Jr. (Abby), David Martin Glass (Taylor), and Hannah Marie Glass.

He is also survived by his wife, Barbara Ford Lapham of Camilla; step daughter Susie Collins (Kyle); step son Jimmy Lapham (Tara); step grandchildren Caleb and Logan Collins, Brianna, Kacie, and Brayden Lapham; his sister Nan Borland Adams Williamson (Eddie); brothers-in-law Earl Ford, Jr. (Patsy) and Guy Martin, Jr. (Lynne); sisters-in-law Betsy Perpall and Vicki Holton; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

James joined his father's farming operation and became a pioneer in agricultural innovation, implementing computers, center pivot irrigation, drip irrigation, and precision agriculture. He and his associates set numerous yield records and he was the first to transition from row crops to solar electric generation.

Alpha Zeta named James one of the one hundred most influential people in agriculture in the 20th century. He was instrumental in creating the soybean check-off program, served on the Agriculture Policy Trade Committee participating in GATT and NAFTA negotiations, and was named Progressive Farmer's "Man of the Year in Service to Southeastern Agriculture" in 1992. The University of Georgia inducted him into its Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2000 as its youngest honoree. He served as President of the American Soybean Association and Chairman of the Georgia State Farm Service Agency state committee.

James was twice named Georgia "Farmer of the Year" (1992 and 2000) and was Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year in 2000. He taught Sunday School for over 50 years, was twice president of Camilla Chamber of Commerce, and founded Westwood Schools, serving on its board for 29 years. He was named Camilla Citizen of the Year in 1989.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 2 at Parker-Bramlett Funeral Home in Camilla.

Memorials may be made to Camilla United Methodist Church, PO Box 192, Camilla, GA 31730, Westwood Schools, PO Box 528, Camilla, GA 31730, and Stitches for Mitchell County, 4380 Puppy Lane, Camilla, GA 31730.

Parker-Bramlett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.