AMERICUS — “Gotto – Mighty” Tony Adams (Dennis Tyrone Adams), a loving, devoted husband, father, master outdoorsman, veteran, pilot, Jack of all trades, teacher, patriot, and faithful servant, has gone to join our Savior Jesus in his Father’s Heavenly Kingdom. Tony passed peacefully, without pain, surrounded by love and his family on Jan. 23, 2017.

Known for his compassion and willingness to help anyone in need, Tony leaves behind a wonderful legacy. With great love, he will be missed by his wife of 53 years, Caroline Stanford Adams; his sons Shane and Drew; his daughter-in-law Victoria Bess; and his three grandchildren Jackson, Keller, and Madison, who will miss their “Papa T”.

He was preceded in his passing by his father John F. Adams and mother Felicia Barfield Adams Raybon.  Tony will also be missed greatly by his siblings and their spouses, who are more than family; they were his friends: his brothers and sisters, Frank and Kathryn Adams, Larry and Louise Adams, Cecilia and Todd Gibbs, Pete and Patsy Raybon, Claudia and Pookie Tye and Paul Raybon will join his wife’s brothers and sisters Buddy and Barabara Stanford and Jessie and Bob Ferguson, who are also his best friends and family.

His nieces and nephews called him Unca Tony and many thought of him as their second Dad. He would want them to know that he loved them all, as he loved all children. To Kathy, Brent, Karen, Kim, Laura, Bob, Laurie, Meagan, Jeremy, Nathan, Moni, Shannon, Cliff, Jason, Mark, Ronza, Makala and Quinn, Unca Tony knew of your love at the end of his life and was so happy to hear from you all.

Tony loved this country and served it for 23 years as a Chief in the U.S. Navy. Many of his friends knew him affectionately as “Chief” and remained lifelong friends. His love of flying carried on into his civilian life, where he was a teacher at South Georgia Tech. He retired from SGTC as an aircraft & power plant instructor, having touched the lives of hundreds of students. Tony was a pilot and always wanted to instill that love of flying to all his family and friends, many of who fondly share their stories of time with him in his “little” plane.

An avid outdoorsman and known as a “fish whisperer”, Tony took great joy in teaching and sharing his love of the outdoors with family and friends, exposing many of us to our first experiences on the water or woods.

Rest easy Chief, your work here is done – you did good! We will see you again soon, “5 minutes … 15 max”.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at Aldridge Funeral Services, 612 Rees Park, Americus, Ga., and a Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. the following day, Jan. 28, at Aldridge Funeral Services Chapel. Because of his love of children and his own battle with cancer, Tony has asked that in lieu of flowers, and if so moved, please consider a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital located at P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142 Memphis TN 38148-0142.

Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest book and express your condolences to the family go to www.aldridgefuneralservices.com