Obituary of Charles Henry Adams

Chapel Hill - Charles Henry Adams, longtime Director of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, died peacefully at his home on September 17, 2017, surrounded by family. His warm smile, friendly greeting, firm handshake or hug reflected Charlie's gracious gift of hospitality, greeting even strangers as welcomed friends. Imbued with an unerring ability to recall names, Charlie was fully present in every conversation, reflecting genuine appreciation for each person's opinion. Charlie's devotion to family, church, friends, and high school athletics was matched by natural leadership skills as a teacher, coach, mentor, and administrator. A fierce advocate on behalf of student athletes across the Tar Heel State, Charlie always placed the integrity of high school athletics above personal accolades. Citing organization and preparation as the fundamental touchstones for success, he insisted that loving what you do was of tantamount importance. He believed God's greatest gift to him was his loving wife and best friend, Sue. Throughout his distinguished service to the people of North Carolina, he was a source of knowledge, wisdom and encouragement, a best friend to all. With all his accomplishments, Charlie remained a person of humility, with the singular exception of his competitiveness when challenged to a basketball game of HORSE, even if he had to make up his own rules. Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ethel Adams, and his son, Charles Scott Adams. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sue Creel Adams; children, Michelle Adams Szwajkun (Kostio), Charles Reavis Adams (Marjorie), and Robert Bell (Kathy); grandchildren, Logan, Emery, Jennifer, Anya, Ellie, Alexander and Natalia; great-grandchildren, Austin, Joshua, Beverly and Sean. A memorial service for Charlie Adams will be held at 2:00pm October 1, 2017, at University Baptist Church, 100 S. Columbia St, Chapel Hill, N.C., followed by a reception in the Great Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the NCHSAA Charles Adams Endowment Scholarship or to University Baptist Church of Chapel Hill.