Charles Hamilton Adams was born in Long Beach, California on September 27, 1945 to Marjorie Ann Edwards Adams and Charles Knight Adams. As WWII came to a close, the first born "Charlie" and his parents returned to their hometown, Dallas . Charlie was a fifth generation Dallasite, descended from the Cochrans, Jenkins and Knights who came to Dallas in 1846, three years after Dallas founder John Neely Bryan settled on the banks of the Trinity River. The Knight farm later became the Oak Lawn Addition of Dallas . Charlie attended Walnut Hill Elementary School, Cary Jr. High, Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated from Texas Military Institute in San Antonio in 1963. He Graduated from TCU in 1967, where he was an officer in Phi Delta Theta, and drummer in the well known Throckmorton Street Rescue Mission Rock and Roll Band. He was Battalion Commander and Distinguished Military Graduate of the TCU Army ROTC, accepting a Regular Army Commision and serving our country well in the U.S. and Korea. He worked many years as General Manager of Custom Automotive. Charlie loved baseball. Accomplished at the plate due to his good eye and muscular 6'2" frame, and in the outfield due to his sure glove and accurate arm, he was an excellent player; however, he found his real avocation in life behind the plate as an umpire. He quickly rose though the "Little League" and junior high ranks until he became a 5A umpire. One of his proudest moments was when the local 5A coaches selected him as a preferred playoff umpire due to his skill and impartiality. He was well known to call the games closely and fairly. Charlie was charismatic. He was a raconteur of the highest order, a teller of tall tales who regaled people with stories both true and imagined. He captivated people with his positive energy and his love of life. He cared about people and they sensed it without being told. It was fun to be around him. He was totally non-judgmental. The glass was always half full. Charlie is survived by his wife Brenda and their children through marriage, Graham, Monty and Callie. Charlie is also survived by his sons, Charles Adams, Travis Adams, and Austin Adams, by his sisters, Nancy Adams, Marjie Osborne and Ginny McCanse by his brothers, Andrew Adams and his wife Cris, their daughters Sarah Adams and Rachel Adams, George Adams and his wife Debbie, their daughters Lauren Adams and Lindsey Adams, Bill Bedford and Henry Bedford. Charlie is also survived by his dear friend Sid Bradshaw. Hail and farewell, my great and true friend, we will miss you terribly. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 18th at Chinn's Chapel United Methodist Church 100 Chinn's Chapel Road, Copper Canyon, TX 75077 with Pastor Paul McGarvey officiating. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation in Charlie's memory to Chinn's Chapel.
(The Dallas Morning News, July 17, 2009)