Charles L. "Chuck" Adams

Charles Leslie "Chuck" Adams, age 81, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at his home. He had fought a difficult battle with Parkinsons disease and Lewy body dementia but never gave up.

Chuck was born December 25, 1943, in Memphis, Tennessee, the oldest of three children raised by Charles "Mose" and Freda (Haney) Adams. He grew up in the Shawnee area and graduated with the class of 1962 at Shawnee High School, where he played basketball and baseball. Chuck then attended and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University where he was a pitcher on the baseball team.

After his time at OBU, slow pitch softball became a cherished hobby, and Chuck and his family spent countless nights and weekends at ballparks across the state as he played. He also ran the Shawnee Softball Association and maintained the fields at Dockrey Park for many years. His devotion to the sport led him to be inducted to the Oklahoma Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 2003, and he continued to play on masters teams for "seasoned players" until he was 72. His softball teammates and friends were more like family and remained a part of his life until the end.

Chuck obtained dual masters degrees in education from East Central University and completed his school administrators certification. For 35 years, he was a respected educator in this area. He taught English, coached, drove a bus, and was an administrator at South Rock Creek School for most of his career, retiring as the superintendent in 2003. The gym there was named in his honor in 2022.

Chuck's love of snow skiing in Colorado and New Mexico led him to organize many ski trips with student groups over the years. Hundreds of SRC kids took their first trip to the mountains with Mr. Adams, and many found that they loved skiing as well. Those annual trips left Chuck and those blessed to join him with many treasured memories.

Chuck married Shirley Sue Scott on January 23, 1966, in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, and they were blessed with two children, Jamie and Shawn. As a family, they loved to travel and had visited beautiful places all over the world. Chuck and Shirley celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by many friends and family at South Rock Creek in 2016. He passed away just short of their 59th anniversary.

Scuba diving was another hobby Chuck enjoyed, and he and his kids dove throughout the Caribbean. When his grandchildren were born, he enjoyed traveling with them as well, and he got to play softball in front of and snow ski with all of them. For the last 18+ years of his life, their activities became his own, and he attended countless ballgames, dance performances, swim meets, and school events. Being Papa to his grandchildren was everything to him.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Shirley Adams, of the home; daughter Jamie Bergsten and husband David of Shawnee; son Shawn Adams and wife Kelli of Edmond; grandchildren Olivia Bergsten, Tyler Bergsten, Jacob Adams, and Connor Adams, as well as one nephew and many friends. The family is so grateful for the kindnesses shown by those who checked on and visited Chuck during his illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents and both of his siblings, "Big Mike" Adams and Kristi Bruno.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home on Sunday, January 5, 2025, from noon to 6:00 PM. A funeral ceremony to celebrate Chuck's life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, January 6, 2025, at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Gerard Nsabimana and former student Rev. Mark Watson officiating. Following the ceremony, Chuck will be laid to rest privately at Bethel Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Wesley United Methodist Church, 302 East Independence, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804, http://www.wesleyumcshawnee.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service.