BENJAMIN RAIFORD ADAMS

BENJAMIN RAIFORD ADAMS, 91

WINTER HAVEN - Benjamin Raiford Adams, 91, of Winter Haven, FL passed away peacefully Thursday December 21st, 2017 in his home of 47 years with his wife, children and loving care givers by his side. Born in DeLand, FL to Emma and Walker Adams, Ben lived all of his life in the Sunshine State from coast to coast. Ben was an extremely loving and giving man. He was so proud of his children Jane Leigh Smisson, of Macon, GA, Benjamin Raiford Adams Jr. and wife Megan of Winter Haven, FL, and William Wright Adams of St. Petersburg, FL; his grandchildren Hugh Franklin Smisson, William Benjamin Smisson and his wife Ruth, Rigdon Adams Smisson, Karlyn Kate Adams, and Benjamin Raiford Adams III; and most recently his great grandchild William Harrison Smisson of Benjamin and Ruth. Also survived by his loving niece and nephews Kathy Edwards, Jim Edwards and wife Ginger, and Mike Edwards. Though his family is large, his family through friendship is even larger. A caregiver to all and seen as a father figure by many he is survived by an innumerable number of people who love and adore him.
Ben met Ina Kate Wright of Dublin GA, the youngest child of Ethel and Cornelius Wright, on a double date in Daytona Beach, FL. Surprisingly, Kate was not his date but they married in 1952 and moved to Winter Haven, FL. Some three years later they moved to Dade City, FL, beginning his life long career in the citrus industry. Ben was eventually named Executive Vice President and General Manager of Pasco Packing Company. In 1969, the Adams returned to Winter Haven, FL, becoming executive vice president and later president of Adams Packing Company. He was also the Managing Partner of Phoenix Industries. As a third generation Floridian, no one loved citrus more than Ben and his passion for the industry is still felt today.
He was highly accomplished in both his professional and personal life. He served in WWII, enlisting at the age of 17 and served in the Philippines from 1944-1946, and discharged with the rank of Non-Commissioned Officer. He was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame. He served on many boards of directors and chaired the boards of Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven Hospital, and Barnett Bank. He was a recipient of the Winter Haven Bankers Cup Man of the Year, a contributing founder of the Angel Care Center of Eloise, President of Florida Canners Association, Chairman of the Board of Federal Land Bank, and was selected by President Ronald Reagan to chair the Citrus Initiative of the Caribbean Basin Pact.
Ben was an avid aviator both in military service and in his personal life. He was an avid sportsman who truly loved hunting and fishing, and was known as a sharpshooter in all respects. What Ben loved more than anything was doing what he loved best, with the people that he loved most, as can be seen by the countless memories owned by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by many.
A service will be held in his honor Wednesday December 27th 2017 at Oak Ridge Funeral Home in Winter Haven FL at 10 AM. Immediately following the service there will be a gathering of friends.