David "Shorty" Lee Adams

David “Mr. Shorty” Lee Adams, 81, of Martinsville, passed from this life on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital, Greenwood, Indiana. He was born on Centennial Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 10, 1940 to the late Leonard Vern and Evelyn (Mace) Adams. The second of ten children, Dave moved at a young age with his parents and eldest brother to rural Morgan County, where he remained throughout most of his life. He attended Martinsville High School, graduating with the class of 1958. A veteran, he proudly served with the United States Army during the years 1961-1967, stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and receiving an Honorable Discharge. Before retiring as a truck driver in May 1998 from Yellow Freight, he lived a variety of experiences, which included working as a ranch hand out west as a young man and even trying his hand at the amateur sport of bull riding. All agree he was a character and truly one-of-a-kind. In addition to his skill in leather work, Dave was also a talented guitarist. The loss of his music will leave a separate, profound void in the hearts of his family. Dave was married three times, first to Mary Ellen Collins on July 23, 1960, with whom he had two children. Secondly, he married Connie Sue Dalton on September 04, 1965. They enjoyed a loving marriage, spanning 39 ½ years. He and Connie are the parents of three daughters. Lastly, Dave married Grace (Brown) Adams on June 07, 2006. They’ve spent their twilight years together. Grace was at his side when he left this world. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his only son, Ricky “Rick” Lee Adams; wife Connie (Dalton) Adams; brothers Robert “Bob” Adams, Joseph “Joe” Adams, Lawrence “Larry” Adams, and Daniel “Dan” Adams. He requested that his beloved horse, Smokey (Ole’ Smoke) - perhaps his truest companion - be listed as family and remembered well in his passing. Shorty leaves behind his loving wife, Grace, of Martinsville; children Donna Saunders (husband Todd), of North Carolina, Cindy Hutcheson, of North Carolina, Brenda Witkemper (husband Dan), also of North Carolina, Bobbi Phelan, of Indianapolis, and stepson Brad Sullivan, of Martinsville. He counted Theresa (Samuels) Wilson, a dear niece, as a fifth daughter. He leaves siblings Harold “Bo” Adams, of Martinsville, Michael “Mike” Adams (wife Linda), of Florida, Evelyn Hirts (husband Kevin), of Bloomington, Marilyn Kelly (husband Leonard “Bud”), of Brooklyn, and Jaqueline “Jackie” Burns (husband Roy), of Bloomington; grandchildren James Randall Saunders, Jessica (Hutcheson) Garner, Kyle Adams, Moriah (Saunders) Alvarado, David Cody Adams, Justin Klooz, James Skyler Phelan, Kristen Witkemper, and step-granddaughter Charleigh Sullivan; great grandchildren Quinn, Todd, Arryana, Conley, Lylah, and Graham. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. A Gathering of Friends & Family will be held Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., at Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel. A graveside memorial service will be held for Dave’s family Thursday at 11:00 a.m., Brooklyn Cemetery, Brooklyn, IN, where he'll receive full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Morgan County Humane Society, 690 W. Mitchell Ave, Martinsville, IN, 46151, and envelopes will be provided at the funeral home. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a virtual candle in his memory, search Facebook for Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel @MonroviaFuneralHome or visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

Tributes

David "Shorty" Lee Adams

March 10, 1940 - July 11, 2021