Thomas Adams Jr.

Thomas Floyd Adams, Jr, 88, a prominent real estate attorney for over 50 years in Raleigh, died March 9, 2010. Tom was born August 24, 1921 in Willow Spring, NC. After receiving his Bachelor Degree in Journalism at UNC, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific theater during World War II as Captain of a LSM Navy ship. During part of his tour of duty, he served side-by-side with his lifelong friend Sen. Jesse Helms. After the war, Tom returned to UNC and received his Law Degree. While in law school, Tom met and married his wife of 56 years, Ann Wilson (Adams) from Madison, NC, who preceded him in death in 2003. Tom loved practicing real estate law and developing land. He was the original developer of Kildare Farms in Cary, which was North Carolina's first planned unit development and a model for many other developments throughout the state. Tom also enjoyed practicing zoning law and spent many hours in front of governing bodies on behalf of clients, but he never took a case unless it had merit and would be a positive impact on the community. He was a great husband and father, and was always there for his family. He always led by example and enjoyed an outstanding reputation in his community. Tom loved to play golf and spending time with his many friends. Almost everyone who met him, came away with the feeling that they had just met the nicest man they had ever met. Tom is survived by his wife Mary Mangum Adams; son’s Thomas Wilson Adams (deceased 2009) and wife Maggie of the Raleigh, Stephen Woodward Adams of Southern Pines, Michael Floyd Adams and fiancée Linda Lehmann of Angier; grandchildren Christopher Adams, Bobby Adams of Raleigh, Jeff Adams of Nashville, TN; great-grandchildren Elizabeth Ann Adams, Sapphira Adams, brother Fred Adams and wife Bobbie of Raleigh; sisters Daphne Ashworth and husband Ralph, Dahlia Lautares of Greenville; sister-in-law Betty Joyce and husband Rudolph of Madison NC; brother-in-law Tom Byrd Wilson and wife Cookie of Greensboro; and Melody Adams.
Funeral services will be held 11:00am Friday, March 12, 2010 in the Wynne Center at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home St. Mary’s St. Interment to follow in Historic Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends 7 – 8:30pm Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers contributions to the Tom Adams Alzheimers Research Fund, P.O. Box 1855, Southern Pines, NC 28388
Condolences may be sent to www.brownwynneraleigh.com