Charles Adams Obituary

Adams (Col., Ret.)
Charles Vernon Adams (Col., Ret.)
September 4, 1942
September 4, 2025

Chuck, as he was known, is survived by his wife of 62 years, Peggy; daughter Jennifer (Adams) Dale and her husband Larry Dale; daughter Kimberly (Adams) Adams-Johnson and her husband Joe Johnson; and son Matthew Adams. Chuck and Peggy adored their 4 grandchildren: Cody and Emma Dale, Grace Burns-Adams, and Aspen Adams.
Chuck died after a 4-year battle with dementia. The family wishes to express their profound appreciation to the phenomenal staff at Springs Ranch Memory Care in Colorado Springs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be directed to Samaritan's Purse (www.SamaritansPurse.org), or the Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org).
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, followed by a committal at 2:00 p.m. at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery. Friends are welcome to attend both services.
Chaplain (Colonel) Charles V. Adams, United States Army, Retired, was a native of Kansas City, Kansas. After completing the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in 1964 and 1965 at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, he completed the Master of Divinity degree at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1968.
Chaplain Adams entered active duty in 1968. His tours include 1st Basic Combat Training Brigade, Fort Gordon, GA; 5th/46th Infantry, Americal Division, Vietnam; 2nd Basic Training Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO; U.S. Army Hospital, Okinawa, Japan; 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Carson, CO; Chaplain Advanced Course, Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY; 1st Armored Division, Crailsheim, West Germany; Letterman Army Medical Center, Presidio of San Francisco, CA; Community Chaplain, Pirmasens, West Germany; Installation Staff Chaplain, Fort Campbell, KY. Chaplain Adams retired in August 1993, from the Sixth Army Headquarters, Presidio of San Francisco, CA, with 26 years active duty. Except for his year in Vietnam, his family accompanied him to all his duty stations.
After his retirement from the military, Chaplain Adams served as the Director of Military Ministries for Biblica (International Bible Society) in Colorado Springs, CO. He was instrumental in designing special edition Bibles for the military. Thanks to donations to IBS, he was able to give those Bibles freely to all branches of our military.
Chaplain Adams' awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Bronze Star with One Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Palm; Vietnamese Staff Service Award; Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal and National Defense Service Award with 1 Bronze Service Star, Overseas Service Ribbon with 4 Service Stars, and the Air Assault Badge. Wherever Chaplain Adams served, he wanted to be called "Chaplain", not Colonel, because he always said, "There's no rank in the Kingdom."
Dad personified service to God and Country. He instilled in his children a strong work ethic, and ministry to all, regardless of position or nationality. Even after his retirement following a stroke in 2011, he continued to mentor other pastors, serve as a Sunday School teacher, and encourage people he met throughout his daily activities. His life is an example to us of how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are forever grateful.