James Blaine Adams

James Blaine Adams
On March 4, 2024, after complications from a stroke and Parkinson's disease, our father, friend, colleague, and mentor passed away. Born James Blaine Adams, his friends knew him as Blaine; his students called him Mr. Adams; to his players he was Coach; his children called him Dad; and to his granddaughter he is forever Grandpa Coach.
Blaine was born on January 6, 1943 during World War II and was raised in SW Washington, DC. After the early death of his father, he began transcending his humble beginnings. He graduated from Anacostia High School and went on to study psychology at North Carolina Wesleyan College. There, in Rocky Mount, NC he met and fell in love with his future wife, Cheryl. After beginning their family and accepting a position as a teacher in the Prince George's County school system, the family moved north to Maryland.
A longtime resident of Seabrook, MD, he taught over 20 years at DuVal High School. Blaine was deeply respected by his peers and colleagues, and came to be beloved by a generation of students. At DuVal, he began what would evolve into his passion - coaching high school sports. Beginning with tennis and basketball, he eventually became a three season coach: boys soccer in the fall, wrestling in the winter, and girls softball in the spring. His 1982 wrestling team became the Maryland State 4A/3A Champions. For his contributions at DuVal, a gymnasium at the school is named in his honor.
In the early 1990s, he and Cheryl built their dream home on the water in Prince Frederick, MD. After a year at Gwynn Park High School, where his boys soccer team made a deep run in the state tournament, he transferred to the Calvert County school system. There, he continued coaching, including the 1994 North High School wrestling squad that also won a Maryland state title. After years in the classroom, he advanced to school administration, becoming Social Studies Supervisor and eventually Testing Supervisor for all Calvert County public schools. He retired in 2004.
After the untimely passing of his wife shortly after their retirement, Blaine delighted in playing Bridge and traveled the world, but he always enjoyed returning to the quiet of his home. The frequent contact and companionship of his family, friends, former colleagues, and most especially, his former students made him most happy. In 2022, he moved to Charlestown Senior Community in Catonsville, MD, where he lived until his passing.
He was preceded in death by his wife (Cheryl Burdette Adams), mother (Daisy Irene Carroll), father (Robert Lynwood Adams), and brother (Robert Steven Adams). He is survived by his daughter (Kimberly Adams and spouse Nancy Smalley), son (Brett Adams and spouse Kate Schnepel), granddaughter (Vivien Adams), and longtime companion (Catherine Van Allen). He will also be missed by nieces, nephews, cousins and Cheryl's family.
Please share stories and memories on this page. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation to advance treatments for the scourge of Parkinson's Disease. Memorial services to be announced in the future.