GMGC Donald B. Adams received his final duty call to join his heavenly father on June 21, 2025, after a long battle with kidney failure and heart disease.  Chief, as his close friends called him, was 89 years old.

Don joined the Navy at the age of 17 and served for 22 years.  He served on many ships with home bases of Japan, Spain, Italy, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  His last port was in Panama City, Florida where he was a recruiting officer for 2 years.  His last ship assignment was the USS Stribling.  He retired from the military in 1973, then went to work for the next 20 years at Cook Whitehead Ford.  He retired from that job in 1993.  He still was not ready to sit down so he worked the next 10 years for a private company driving recruits from Panama City to Montgomery, Alabama every day to "sign-up" for duty to their chosen branch of service.  His last ship assignment was the USS Stribling.

Don and Nancy lived in Panama City until hurricane Michael destroyed their home in 2018.  Don's good friend, John Fowler, told him to "come on up here to Benton, Tennessee, we have plenty of room".  They built a small home on the property where Nancy still resides.

In addition to his parents, Carl and Anna Green Adams, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Laverne of 25 years; brother, Tom Adams and wife, Barbara "Bobbi" Adams; Nancy's daughter, Sherry Hall.

Left to cherish the many memories include his loving wife of 42 years, Nancy Adams; daughter, Kathy Lackey and husband, Mark along with a grandson, Ryan; son, David Adams and wife Deanna and granddaughters, Alyssa and Sarah; son, Robert "Bob" Adams and wife, Bonnie and granddaughter, Seres Anne.  He was also a loving "Grandpa Don" to Nancy's grandchildren, Faith, Micheal and Tanner; niece, Nancy Tipps and son, Bret; nephew, Howard Adams.  He also has 2 great grandchildren and Don's longtime best friend, John Fowler.

A graveside service with military honors for "Chief" will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Panama City, Florida with Pastor Jack Hankins officiating.

His family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, at Heritage Funeral Home Cremation Service, 247 N. Tyndall Pkwy, Panama City, Florida 32404.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFunerals.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton, (423) 338-2834.