David "Dea" Edward Adams Jr.

David Edward Adams, Jr., “Dea,” passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Dea was born on July 31, 1973, at Midland Memorial Hospital to his parents, Barbara and David Adams.

Dea spent his early years receiving special care and therapy from Betty Jo Munn and the staff at the Opportunity Center where he learned to walk and gained other life skills. He spent his childhood running with his sister and the whole pack of kids on Dengar Street, riding his Big Wheel and climbing trees.

He became a student in the MISD Special Education program at Bonham Elementary and the Carver Center. During his time as a student, Dea specialized in throwing his glasses out the window of the school bus, independently strolling into the teacher’s lounge to buy himself a Coke out of the vending machine, and hiding on the bus from Mr. Hearn when the rest of his classmates exited the bus for school.

Dea participated in the Special Olympics for several years, specializing in the basketball dribbling competition and the 50-yard race.

Dea graduated from Midland High School in 1995.

Following his graduation, Dea participated in a variety of work opportunities around town, all of which were managed and supervised by MARC (now called Spectrum of Solutions). While Dea enjoyed spending his days on these work crews with his friends, he was never in the running to be named “Employee of the Month” as he preferred to take on a supervisory role, standing in the shade and watching everyone else do the actual work.

After suffering a traumatic brain injury later in life, Dea became less active and most enjoyed passing his days watching his favorite movies “Wayne’s World” and “Free Willy.” Except for when various illnesses would require him to be in a nursing care facility, Dea spent the majority of his last fourteen years living in a Spectrum of Solutions group home.

Over the course of his life Dea was loved and cared for by a variety of people to whom the family would like to thank, including the late Betty Jo Munn, the late Ms. Johnson, and the staff of Ashton Medical Lodge, Spectrum of Solutions, and Hospice of Midland.

Dea was preceded in death by his grandparents Melvin and Valerie Adams of Longview, Texas and Gene and Letha Hancock of Midland, Texas who spent many years of their retirement helping to care for their “little buddy.”

He is survived by his parents David and Barbara Adams of Midland, Texas, his sister Kristie Adams Wade and her husband Randy Wade of Wilson, Wyoming, and his nieces Reilly Wade and her husband Zach Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee, and Lily Wade of Knoxville, Tennessee.

The family will receive friends for visitation at Ellis Funeral Home on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 5-7 PM. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 at 2 PM at First Baptist Church followed by interment at Resthaven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dea’s memory to Spectrum of Solutions, Hospice of Midland, the Special Olympics, or the charity of your choice.