Lawrence H. Adams' Obituary
THIS OBITUARY IS LONGER THAN MOST. It has to be to do justice to the man it honors. A man many call a legend and a hero in South Florida. A man of faith. A man devoted to his family. A man who improved the lives of virtually every segment of our diverse communities with his love, compassion, intelligence, positive can-do attitude, boundless energy, and ceaseless determination to help anyone and everyone he could.
Lawrence H. “Larry” Adams, born Feb 11, 1927, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec 10, 2024. He died peacefully at home with his family by his side, including Betsy, his loving wife and devoted partner of 73 years.
Larry was born and raised in West Palm Beach (WPB), Fla. His mother was Pauline Kraynik Adams, a wonderful woman who moved to WPB from Joliet, Ill in 1923. He had a younger sister, Vera. In 1944 Larry attended Purdue University as a U.S. Army Air Corps Cadet. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1945-46, achieving the rank of Corporal and receiving the World War II Victory Medal and the Occupation Medal Germany. Larry attended the University of Miami from 1947-49, where he was an outstanding pitcher on the Hurricanes baseball team. He loved “the U” and contributed greatly to its success as a member of its Board of Trustees, President of its National Alumni Association, and in other leadership roles. Larry is also a graduate of the prestigious Harvard Graduate Business School’s “Advanced Management Program for Executives.”
In 1949, Larry began a 42-year career at Florida Power & Light Company (FPL). A true Horatio Alger story, Larry worked his way from digging ditches and climbing poles to being a Vice President of the State’s largest electric utility. With his tireless work ethic and positive “can-do” attitude, he excelled at every job he was given.
Larry’s baseball prowess had a major influence on his life. One reason FPL hired him was to pitch for its baseball team, and without that job he would not have met his wife Betsy. While working on top of a pole on Miami Beach in 1951, he spied a beautiful woman sunbathing on the beach. After two attempts, Larry persuaded her to go out with him. They fell madly in love, married, and spent the next 73 years in the most perfect, blissful marriage imaginable.
Larry’s faith and family were always his top priority. He also had a passion for helping others. Few people have contributed more to the betterment of Miami and South Florida than Larry Adams. His vision, leadership and hard work positively impacted every segment of our diverse community for over 60 years.
While excelling in his difficult job duties, Larry somehow found the time to serve in over 36 local, regional, state and national community service organizations, including Chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) and President of the Orange Bowl Committee in the same year! He also held leadership positions with the United Way of Dade County; Hispanic Heritage Festival Committee; Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce; Florida Memorial College; Dade County Industrial Development Authority; Greater Miami Super Bowl XXIII Host Committee; Broward County American Red Cross; University of Miami; Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce; Ft Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; Miami Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA); and others too numerous to list.
As Chairman of the GMCC, Larry played a pivotal role helping the Miami Heat secure enough ticket sales for its inaugural season, without which the NBA would not have awarded the franchise.
Larry also played an important role in the creation and deployment of the Malcolm Baldrige Foundation Award and program, which greatly improved quality management in businesses, charities, government agencies, and other types of organizations throughout America. The now popular Sterling Management Program is a derivative of the Baldrige Program and is managed by the Governors of each U.S. state.
Larry was recognized for his community service with many honors and awards, including the National Conference of Christians and Jews Silver Medallion Award; member, Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor attained at the University of Miami; Miami Urban League’s Annual Black Awareness Award and Reuben Askew Award; the renaming of a portion of SW 92nd Avenue as Larry Adams Avenue; the reading of his major achievements and civic contributions into the U.S. Congressional Record by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; at the age of 89, the Florida Sterling Foundation’s “Management for Excellence Program” recipient of the 2016 Florida Governor’s “Sterling Ambassador of the Year Award;” at the age of 94, the 2021 recipient of the nationally recognized Malcolm Baldrige Foundation Leadership Excellence Award in Business; and at the age of 94, the 2021 recipient of the Henry M. Flagler Community Builder Award, one of the GMCC’s highest honors for contributions to the advancement of Miami.
Larry is survived by his wife of 73 years Bessie Arminta (Betsy), sons Lawrence, Jr. (Joanne), Ron and Thad (Ana), granddaughters Jennifer, Julie and Kelly, great granddaughter Leah Adams, niece Theresa Shaw, nephew Stephen Shaw, and others. He is preceded in death by his mother Pauline Kraynik Adams and sister Vera Shaw.
The world is a better place because of Larry Adams, and words cannot adequately express how much he will be missed. We take solace in the words of our Lord Jesus, that He has prepared a place for believers like Larry, and we look forward to seeing him again.
A memorial service and family reception will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at Christ Journey Church, 624 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of Larry Adams to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, c/o Greater Miami, 4812 SW Ranchito Street, Palm City, Fla 34990 (checks and electronic transfers: write Greater Miami – Larry Adams on memo line) (online giving: https://bit.ly/MiamiFCA)
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