George Van Adams

George Van Adams, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Palm Sunday April 13, 2025. George was ready and he must have intuitively known the start of Easter Week would be THE celebration to witness from the other side.

A lifelong resident of Atlanta, Georgia, he graduated from Sylvan High School, class of 1965. At the age of 19 he joined the US Army, where he was stationed in Korea. His generosity started from a young age, as he used his small military stipend to send back to his mother and sisters every week.

George returned to Atlanta and began his 30 year career with Delta Air Lines in 1970 & started on the ramp, then worked in Atlanta ticket offices until he finished his career in marketing. He was described by co-workers as a one-of-a-kind leader and his ability to plan and organize events was without an equal! While at Delta in 1971, he met Diane Bergen, whom he would marry just 10 months later. After settling in Fayetteville, GA they both spent time raising two practically perfect daughters, volunteering locally and were active members at New Hope Baptist Church.

George loved life, God, his family/friends/neighbors, his country, southern cooking, yard work and all things ATLANTA. He never met a stranger and his ability to make people feel welcome was legendary. He personified hard-work, kindness, and loyalty.

Throughout his life he was always looking for ways to help others and was the most generous person you could ever meet. He volunteered with numerous organizations including the Atlanta Food Bank, Respite Care of Atlanta, and Alzheimer's Association of GA. George never wanted to be the center of attention - he preferred being in the background to make sure everything was perfecto!

He is survived by his two daughters, Tanya Adams Jeffries (Richard) and Krista Adams; his grandson, Preston White; his former wife, Diane Adams; his half-sister, Sherri Morris (Randy); his uncle, Dillard Medlin (Jeanette); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews as well as extended family/friends.

He was predeceased by his mother, Frances McMahon (Tennyson); his father, MJ "Buster" Adams (Evelyn); his two sisters, Ann English and Sissy Ivey (Kalb); his aunts, Edith O'Neal and Helen Petrogallo (Pete); his uncles, Frank Medlin (Alma), GD Adams (Frances), and Buddy Adams (Belle); his nephew, David "Butch" Gilstrap; and his cat, Libby.

His family would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the loving nurses and doctors at St. Joseph's Hospital, In lieu of flowers, George requested donations to the Atlanta Food Bank and MUST Ministries.

A visitation for friends and family will begin at 10:00 am, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at H.M. Patterson & Son - Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319.