The Obituary of Walter Pete Adams, Jr.

Walter Pete Adams, Jr., born on October 30, 1940 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to the late Mary Hampton Adams and the late Walter Pete Adams, Sr., left his earthly home and ascended into his heavenly home to join his beloved wife, Dorldine, and his devoted mother and father on Wednesday morning, July 10, 2024 at the Kindred Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. He fought a long courageous battle against a serious chronic illness until the end.

Walter exhibited signs of ambition and intellectual curiosity at a young age as told by his teachers. His birthday was late, according to the rules of the local public school system. His mother did not want him to start late in school. At the age of five, she enrolled him in the Five Row School on the Reynolda Village Estates, the home of the R. J. Reynolds family. She was advised to do this by her friend and teacher at Five Row. After Walter's first year there, he transferred and was assigned to Kimberley Park Elementary School in his neighborhood, the Boston community of Winston-Salem. With an outgoing personality, he quickly made friends starting in the second grade lasting until the time of his death. To know him was to love him.  He and his friends attended Atkins High School, where he was active in several extracurricular activities such as the marching and orchestral bands, four and three years, respectively; the Red Cross Club for two years; and the Etiquette Club for three years, to name a few.  More importantly, he was a good student.

After high school, Walter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following an honorable discharge, he attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (A &T) in Greensboro, North Carolina. After his matriculation at A&T, he entered the workforce of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Walter retired from Reynolds as a Senior Buyer. During his career, he received the prestigious Carolina Minority Supplier Development Council, Incorporated, 2006 Special Achievement Award.

He was active in the community and the church. His community and charity participation included Habitat for Humanity and the United Nations International, Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).  He was also very active in his family church, Grace Presbyterian, U.S.A, where he served as a Trustee.

At an early age, his mother, who was an excellent Pinochle player, taught him and his siblings to play the game. Over the years, with a great sense of competition, he became an expert in the game. He was an enthusiastic member of a local Pinochle Club until his illness would not allow him to participate. When Walter was at Kimberley Park Elementary School, he was introduced to and acquired a lasting love and affinity to the School cafeteria's "pinto beans". Walter's Pinochle Club members always looked forward to his "pinto beans" and cornbread when it was his time to host the game.

He was a very active and committed member of the leadership team that produced his high school class reunions over the years.

Gone but not forgotten! Walter is survived by many family members to cherish his memory: one daughter, Beverly Jane Adams (Jonathan) Oxley, who was extremely dedicated to him, particularly through his lengthy illness, driving many hours, sometimes weekly, from her home in North Potomac, Maryland to attend to her father's needs; one step son, Lawrence Emile Rucker of Winston-Salem; one older devoted brother, Willie Ruffin Adams of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one younger devoted sister, Joan Anne Adams (Dr. Roderick) Bahner of Brentwood, Tennessee; one loving grandson, Ryce Maxwell Oxley of North Potomac, Maryland;  five devoted nieces, Kia DiAn Bahner of Los Angeles, California, Michelle Joan Bahner of Antioch, Tennessee, Ericka Jamil Bahner (Dr. Robert) Seifried of Hamberg, Germany, and Monica Adams Finley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one nephew, Dr. Roderick Iren Bahner, Jr. of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; two great nieces, Victoria Marie Bahner of Antioch, Tennessee, and Gianna Wren Bahner of Mount Juliet, Tennessee;  five great nephews, Alexander Roderick Bahner of Boston, Massachusetts, Felix Noah Seifried of Hamberg, Germany, Beckham Kade Bahner, Maddox Guthrie Bahner and Heston Phillip Bahner, all of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; one son-in-law, Jonathan David Oxley of North Potomac, Maryland; one brother-in-law, Dr. Roderick Iren Bahner, Sr., who called him several times a day to check on his condition. He also leaves a large host of friends to cherish his memory.

Walter was a good servant; may he rest in the mighty arms of our Father in eternal peace.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00noon Monday, August 5, 2024 at Grace Presbyterian Church. The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12:00noon on Monday at the Church.