General Lee "Buck" Adams Jr.

General Lee "Buck" Adams Jr., 89, of Madisonville, passed away peacefully at 10:11 p.m. Monday January 19, 2026 at Baptist Health Deaconess Hospital in Madisonville with his loving family by his bedside.

A native of Madisonville, he was born to the late General Lee Adams Sr. and Martha Cushingberry on September 1, 1936.

He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Eastview Missionary Baptist Church in Madisonville.

He was a retired coal miner with Peabody Coal Company in Madisonville and a member of the United Mine Workers of America.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran where he was a sharpshooter (Rifle M-14), 1st Class (M-60 MG), and recipient of a National Defense Service Medal and also served in the Army Reserves where he was a Ammo Helper and received a Good Conduct Medal and was a member of the American Legion Post in Madisonville.

He also was a graduate of African-American Historic Rosenwald High School in Madisonville where he played on the basketball team. He loved hunting and was an avid UK Wildcats and Chicago Cubs fan.

His passion was raising his children and spending time with them and family, all of whom will miss him dearly.

In addition to his parents, he also was preceded in death by his loving wife of 34 years, Yvonne Jean "Pig" (Latham) Adams whom he married on May 22, 1964; one son, Brian Dulin; two brothers, Robert Adams and James Gilbert; and one sister, Andrea Jones.

He leaves behind to cherish his loving memories, two sons, Donaldson (Diana) Adams of Madisonville and Kenneth (Carmel) Adams of Chicago, Illinois; two daughters, Alane (Julius) Greer of Madisonville and Tara L. Adams of St. Charles, Missouri; four sisters, Martha Hereford of Huntsville, Alabama, Sara (Roy) Davis of Hobart, Indiana, Lucy Davis of Madisonville, and Kelly Gilbert of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; 18 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

His life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Friday January 23, 2026 at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Madisonville.

The Reverend Robert L. Cottoner will be eulogist.

Burial will be in Westside Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.

Visitation and wake services will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Friday at the church.

Military Honors will be performed by the 101st Airborne Division of Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Hopkins County Honor Guards.

For viewing, the service will be live-streamed on Elliott-Bowles Mortuary Facebook page beginning at 1:00 p.m. central time.

Elliott-Bowles Mortuary in Madisonville is overseeing his arrangements and professional services.

Condolences to the family can be shared with them at www.elliottmortuarycares.com.