Reese Spencer Adams
May 13, 1957 ~ September 29, 2015
Signature Sympathy Cards
Reese Spencer Adams, age 58, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. He was born in Muskogee, OK, the son of the late William Luther Adams and Jo Ann Citron Adams.
Reese was an advertising professional with 35 years of service. After graduating from the University of Tulsa, he began his career planning and purchasing media at a Pepsi-Cola bottling company in Oklahoma. He then joined Darcy, McManus & Masius to work on the Anheuser Busch Brand in St. Louis followed by the work he did with the Kraft margarine brands at Foote Cone & Belding in Chicago. He then spent 10 years with Bayer Bess Vanderwarker in Chicago working on the brands such as Gatorade and Dominos Pizza.
From 1995 - 2001, Reese was an entrepreneur running his own business-to-business ad agency. After that he was the Director of Marketing for Johnson-Rauhoff in St. Joseph MI for four years. At that point in 2006, Reese accepted the position of Vice President at Lewis Advertising initially working on the Embarq/Century Link account and later becoming a Senior Vice President and the Account Director on a variety of brands including Building Discount Center, Carteret Healthcare, Granville Health Systems, Nash UNC Healthcare and the North Carolina Electric Co-Operatives.
Reese was also recognized for his outstanding musical talents and abilities. He was a member of the Featured Attraction rock band and the Tar River Orchestras Swing Band. Reese also led the marketing effort to promote purchase of tickets and attendance at the concerts offered by the Tar River Orchestra & Chorus.
He is survived by his brothers, Keith Adams and his wife Lisa of Norman, OK, and Mark Henry Adams and his wife Cheryl of St. Louis, MO; niece, Aubrey Adams Brodess and her husband Jordan of Chicago, IL; nephews, Brandon Adams of Norman, OK, Skyler Adams and his wife Betsy of New York City, NY, Zach and Alex Adams both of St. Louis, MO.
A Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 433 South Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC, with Pastor Alice Johnson-Curl officiating. A gathering for friends will follow services in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org would be preferred in honor of Reese's parents.
Arrangements are entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Service
Location Not Available
Saturday 10/3, 3:00 pm
Memorial
Location Not Available
Saturday 10/3, 2:00 pm
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
I’m happy to call Reese a mentor. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with him for over a decade. He was always sharp and insightful and continuously worked to make things better. He’s one of those rare people who really want to do things right and see that everyone is treated fairly. I’m truly going to miss him.
Reese was a good man that held to his faith. I had wonderful times playing in The Sardams and recording with Reese. He was a fine musician that did not waste his God Given talent of playing the T-Bone.
Reese Adams, you will be missed more than words can express. Today I say farewell to the man who’s been my manager, boss, co-worker, fellow advertising account guy, mentor, inspiration, and friend. It still doesn’t feel real that he’s not going to walk into the office on Monday morning. It’s been four days since we received the news of his unexpected passing and I’m still coming to grips with that. Reese definitely made a huge impact. I only knew him a little less than four years. Now that I’ve had time to reflect on that time and wade through work scenarios without him a door away, I’ve come to realize how much I truly learned from this man. He was dynamic…in meetings, presentations, and while performing musically. Talented and thoughtful. He always had a point of view and could tell you exactly why. He influenced people and had the best of outcomes in mind for clients. He brought forward big ideas, approaching everything with intensity and passion both in the advertising world and through music. I’m grateful for time we worked together. Reese was awesome! He shared so much of his experience. His voice will surely linger in my mind as a sort of advisor as we move forward at the office. And he will always come to mind any time I hear jazz music. Reese, you left us too soon and we miss you. Rest in peace buddy. BEAUTY. Ursula Forrester
I am saddened to hear of Reese Adams passing. His mother and I were cousins.It has been years since we were in contact but not ever out of my heart and thoughts. Sending many wishes of sympathy and love to all the family. Sharon Citron Sivertson – October 4 at 1030 PM
Lit a candle in memory of Reese Spencer Adams
My 97 year old mother is Reese’s grandfather’s sister; Their mother, Joann is my first cousin. As a child I remember trips to Muskogee to visit. Aunt Leota and Uncle Alfred would always drive us through the park and other areas filled with beautiful azalea plants. While living in Texas we always looked forward to taking a break at their house on our way to Kansas. It was such a shock to read of Reese’s passing on facebook. I am able to relate because my younger son was taken from us unexpectedly two years ago. He was 52. My love and prayers go out to this family. Jewell Sturgeon Turner
I have known Reese for many years, as I attended Grant Foreman Elementary School, Alice Robertson Junior High School, and Muskogee High School about the same time frame as Reese. My fondest memories of Reese are from MHS band. He loved to play his trombone, especially Lassus Trombones and making me and others laugh. He will be sorely missed. Prayers to his family. I thank the Good Lord for the opportunity to know Reese.
Sent a gift in memory of Reese Spencer Adams
I was shocked to read in the Tulsa University Alumni Magazine that Reese had passed. He was such fun to be around in college. He was one of the most witty people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, he was smart, and a very good trombone player! We had lots of fun together. We only had 1 problem… He was obviously a Pepsi man and I was a coke gal! Not long ago I asked another college friend if she had heard anything about Reese because she had seen him in Chicago once after graduation. She had not. I’m very sad to have lost touch with him but it sounds like he had a very nice, enjoyable, successful life. My condolences to the family, his friends and colleagues. I’m sure he is sorely missed and will be for a long time! I’m really hoping that we will meet again!