Robert Bruce Adams

The Honorable Judge Robert Bruce Adams of Dalton, Georgia passed away on Tuesday evening, April 15, 2025. Born and raised in Dalton, Georgia he was the son of the late Isaac C. Adams and Opal Swick Adams.

Robert, called Bob or Bobby by those who knew him well, was a 1959 graduate of Dalton High School. He attended Emory at Oxford, graduated from Emory University in 1963, and graduated from Emory Law School in 1965. Upon graduation, he joined his father Isaac and formed the partnership Adams & Adams. He was elected district attorney for the Conasauga circuit in 1969. At the end of his term he joined Coy Temples in law practice. After Temples was appointed Superior Court Judge, He joined Sam Little to form the practice Little and Adams, during which time he served as Whitfield County Attorney and Chairman of the Whitfield County Board of Elections. He and Sam Little later joined practice with Sparky Kelehear and Randy Bates. He was appointed Superior Court Judge in 2000. He retired from the bench in 2012.

Bob grew up in the First United Methodist Church, and in recent years moved to The River Community Church. He attended church and the Abundant Life Sunday School Class faithfully. He loved the Lord and greatly cherished his church friends.

Bob was a dedicated golfer and enjoyed long hours of playing with his friends at Dalton Golf and Country Club, where he had been a member for 69 years. He enjoyed photography and was also adept with technology, helping many friends set up and use computers. He loved to travel and combined it with another of his hobbies, genealogy. He used his research skills to trace family lines for many friends and colleagues. Bob loved to plan trips and find special places to dine. Whenever he traveled with friends, he was trusted to scout out the best places for dinner. He was an avid reader and researcher, his favorite topic being history, especially history of the church and Bible. He collected numerous books on those topics.

Most of all he loved his family and was immensely proud of his two sons, David and Michael. Anyone who spoke with Bob about his family would be treated to long descriptions of his sons’ activities and accomplishments. They spent many happy days golfing, fishing, camping, and traveling.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, the former Dee Anne Ellis, also of Dalton, Georga, his son David Arthur Adams and wife Cheryl, grandson Thomas Garza and wife Samantha, and brother William C. Adams. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son Michael Stephen Adams.

Services will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, at The River Community Church, 2410 Cleveland Highway, Dalton, Georgia, with Reverend Brian Clark officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 until 11:00. The service will be at 11:00, with a reception following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to The River Community Church, P.O. Box 6439, Dalton, Georgia 30722.

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