Leonard Wade Adams
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Leonard Wade Adams was born on 2 May 1962, in Vance County, NC, the son of Robert Van Adams, Jr. and Shirley Williamson Adams.

Len attended Western Carolina University where he received a four year degree in Sports Management and Business. He joined the North Carolina Marine Reserves and later transferred to the North Carolina Army National Guard. Len served over 20 years in the military.

Len moved to Mooresville, NC, in the 1980's where he owned and operated Adams Fitness Center until he sold it in 1994. At that time, he began working for Freightliner of Cleveland, where he remained employed until his death. He was the husband of Michelle Ray Adams of Mooresville.

Death and Burial

Staff Sergeant Leonard Wade Adams died on Sunday, 23 January 2005, in Iraq. He is buried at Glenwood Memorial Park in Mooresville, NC.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Michelle, Len is survived by daughter, Lauren Nicole Adams; son, Brandon Griffin Adams; and stepdaughter, Taylor Blake Dyson, all of Mooresville; brothers, Robert Van Adams III and wife, Shanon Lee Adams, of Greenville, SC; Bradley Ryan Adams and wife, Stephanie Barton Adams, of Raleigh; nephew, Christopher Lee Adams; nieces, Melissa Lynn Adams and Hannah Corrinne Adams; father-in-law, Howard Michael Ray and wife, Anne, of Mars Hill; and mother-in-law, Mary Ann Wheeler and husband, Jim, of Weaverville.