Doyle Gene Adams

Doyle Gene Adams, 79, of Russellville, passed peacefully on Saturday, April 20th. Doyle is survived by brother Harley Adams (Marla) of Eddy, TX, and sisters Janelle Paul (Jeff) of Temple, TX, and Madlyon Opperman (Paul) of Temple, TX, Alma George Adams, his beloved wife of 56 years; his children Heather Ward (Dan) of Broomfield, CO, and Jody Adams (Amanda) of Russellville, and grandchildren Jonah Ward, Cooper Adams, and Grace Adams.

Funeral services will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 6-8 on Thursday, April 25th, and services will be held on Friday, April 26th, at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 300 North Cumberland Drive, Russellville, AR 72801.

Doyle Gene Adams, 79, departed this life Saturday, April 20th. The eldest son of Lawrence (Buddy) Williams Adams and Clara Belle (Neff), Doyle was raised in the towns of Electra and Troy, TX. After graduation, Doyle enlisted in the US Air Force with a  friend, hoping to complete basic training together, so naturally they were sent to opposite coasts. Part of his Air Force career was spent at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he found himself in church sitting next to a lovely young nurse from Pennsylvania. He proposed three times before she agreed to be his bride, an arrangement that lasted for the next 56 years. After graduating from UT Austin, the couple relocated to Arkansas. Ever the proud Texan, Doyle enjoyed Arkansas vs. Texas football matchups, with coworkers agreeing that the loser would have to make a cake for the winner. Doyle often remarked with a smirk that he “didn’t have to make many cakes.” Doyle carried his love of aircraft with him from his Air Force days, building countless model planes, and making attendance at any available air show a required event. He could identify most aircraft by sight (and sound!), and spent many (many) hours discussing different attributes of any number of aircraft, and could spend hour upon hour wandering through aircraft and flight museums. Antique cars was another passion, and one he shared with brothers Harley and Orville. His father drove Doyle’s beloved “Red,” a 1965 Plymouth Belvedere off the showroom floor, and he loved driving her in parades and at events with the antique car club of Russellville. Doyle truly had a servant’s heart, and he spent countless hours volunteering his time and talents at Wesley UMC greeting visitors, teaching Sunday school, singing in the church choir, and wrangling masses of chicken for their annual BBQ chicken event. His greatest passion was reserved for his friends and family. Doyle was said to have never met a stranger, and would go out of his way to help in times of need for friends new and old. When not traveling the country (and to all 50 states!) with his wife Alma, he reveled in the time spent with his two children, Heather and Jody, attending all manner of pageant, recital, soccer game, and school play. He managed to teach Heather a thing or two about old cars (she recently correctly identified a ’65 Plymouth Barracuda with only a glimpse!), and how to be the recipient of all the strong Adams traits with grace. He taught Jody how to fish and hunt, creating a passion that will carry through the generations. He adored his three grandchildren, Jonah, Cooper, and Grace, who know him to be the greatest PePaw and snazzy hat-wearer of all time, bar none. His passing leaves an incredible void for his family, his church, and his community of friends. He was a fantastic human.