Wayne Adams

Wayne Lawrence Adams, 60, died at 11.30pm on Sunday, January 12, 2014, after a five month battle with lymphoma. Born May 8, 1953, Wayne dedicated his life to his business, Adams Homes, and to his family, Brandon Adams (35), Bryan Adams (32) and wife Erin Adams, and Annie Malone (28) and husband Matt Malone. He was exceptionally close to his girlfriend, Amy Martin; his ex-wife, Holly Adams; and his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Ella Adams. Wayne is also survived by sisters Carol Frederick and Barbara Graff, nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He maintained a close group of friends within Adams Homes, and he had a handful of cherished friends from Pensacola and from his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. He also adored his two grandchildren, Emilia Adams (2) and Brody Malone (6 months), and his young Golden Retriever, Aspen (3). Although Adams Homes thrived financially, Wayne led a modest life to the end, driving around in a ten-year-old Chevy Tahoe, living in the same three-bedroom house on Pensacola Beach, and buying almost all of his clothes from the Land's End catalog. His philosophy of life and business was "Keep it simple, stupid," and he preached to everyone around him the dangers of complexity and overreach. Wayne never owned a computer or sent an email. Wayne's primary enjoyment in life came from having people around him develop in a positive way. He was not an easy boss, and he was an exceptionally tough negotiator who prized loyalty above all else, but his feeling of success and accomplishment ultimately came from contributing to the success of others. The net outcome was an extremely tight culture at Adams Homes. Not one for luxury, Wayne's favorite restaurant around town until the end was the Waffle House. The smiling staff tolerated him on even his last visits, when he couldn't stomach a bite. Wayne's favorite things in life were going skiing every year with his close friend Ken Kleinschmidt and a rotating cast from New Orleans and Pensacola; hanging out on his pontoon boat with Amy, his kids, or Mark Braxton; drinking Jack Daniels and 7-Up with Collier Merrill or his work buddies at Fish House; plotting business strategy with his sons, his beloved brother Don Adams, his mastermind CFO Brian Stringfellow, or his son-in-law and righthand man, Matt Malone; relaxing in his Lay-Z-Boy at his beach house, watching crime procedurals, comedies, or inspirational movies; or lounging on the beach near his home or in Destin, Florida. Funeral Services will take place at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 17, 2014 at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service time. Flowers are appreciated or you may wish to consider a donation to the Lymphoma Research Society in Wayne's memory. Arrangements entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home of Gulf Breeze. You may offer condolences, share memories and sign the guestbook at www.roselawn-fh.com.

Visitation

Visitation

Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church
75 Fairpoint Drive
Gulf Breeze, FL  32561
Friday, January 17, 2014
1:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church
75 Fairpoint Drive
Gulf Breeze, FL  32561
Friday, January 17, 2014
2:00 PM