Obituary of Larry James Adams Lummi Tribal Member, Larry Adams was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital on November 06, 1947. He was the first son of Delores Margaret Finkbonner and James Melvin Adams. He passed away at the age of 71 on March 20, 2019 in Swedish Medical Hospital in Edmonds after long, difficult complications related to cerebral palsy.
Larry was a miracle. As a result of his cerebral palsy, he was paralyzed on his right side and with only the right side of his brain functioning throughout his life, he could talk, walk, read and write, manage his checkbook, form meaningful relationships, work, and laugh and play with others. “Larry is here!
” was the common delight that announced his presence at every family gathering. He will long be remembered for his independence. When Larry was younger, many of the Elder’s in Bellingham remember him walking around and around the block, past the Horseshoe restaurant.
And later when visiting family here, walking at the Bellis Fare Mall. But for the past twenty some years, he became recognized far and wide in Lynwood, for his pattern of spending hours and hours at Fred Myers on 196th Street year upon year. After his day at Fred Meyers, Larry made his way home to watch King 5 news, then at seven each evening he went to his table (number 21) at Applebee’s, where he choose either macaroni and cheese or clam chowder every night.
He loved country/western music and coming home to be at Lummi for holidays and family events—at first, staying at his dad’s, then staying at his brother Ron and Bev’s house, and finally, the past few years with brother Perry and Dianna’s at their place. Larry was so proud to wear his tuxedo as best man at Perry’s wedding to Dianna in Grand Ronde in Oregon. He had had adventures in his life, too.
He came to Stommish, he rode space need in Seattle, and he went to Disneyland in California. He was a man of faith, and attended a Lutheran church until he was no longer able to do so. Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents; Philomena (Harry) of Nooksack and George Finkbonner, I of Lummi, and Damien Solomon of Lummi, Ellen (Celestine) Solomon of Snohomish/Tulalip and Thomas Stafford Adams, II of S’Klallam, and Chester Solomon of Lummi.
In addition to birth parents, Larry was preceded by Violet Rose (Wilson) Adams of Lummi, and Samuel Phillip Leach of California. Larry had a special affection for his foster parents Mr. and Mrs. Frost of Deming. Two brothers, Bartholomew Henry “Bert” Jefferson, II, Robert Angelo Leach; and four sisters, Mary Lila Adams, Charlotte Ann Adams, Valerie Margaret (Jefferson) O’Leary, and Velda Rose Jefferson, all of Lummi have also passed.
Larry was also preceded by fourteen uncles and thirteen aunties of Lummi, Nooksack, Tulalip and Colville. And, many, many nieces and nephews. Larry is survived by Elders: Auntie Donna M. (Solomon) Hunter of Nooksack, and first cousin, Wilma (Celestine) Olsen of Lummi.
His surviving brothers include: Perry Melvin Adams with Dianna; George Oliver Adams with Fran and Ronald Lester Adams with Beverly; Allen Gerold Jefferson; Matthew Boyd Jefferson with Collette; William Anthony Leach; David Marion Leach; Garnet James Adams with Diane; Gordon Oliver Adams, Sr.; and Joseph Arthur Adams. The surviving sisters include; Veda Ann Jefferson; Vera Ellen Adams; Jessie Louise (Adams) Deardorff with Leroy; Siam’ewit with Doug; and Kathleen Vera (Leach) Solomon. And many, many nieces and nephews.
Please forgive us if we have made any errors or omissions in writing this. Larry loved and was loved by all those who knew him. Prayer services will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 24th.
A funeral service will be Saturday, March 25, at 10:00 AM. Both services will be held at Wex li em, the Lummi Community Building on the Lummi Reservation. Burial will follow at Lummi Cemetery.
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