Obituary of Charles Walton Adams

Charles Walton "Beau" Adams, III passed away quietly Saturday November 1, 2014 at his home surrounded by family and friends after a brief illness. He is preceded in death by his Mother Patricia Ann Kingham Adams, Grandparents John B. and Hazel F. Kingham, his Grandfather Dr. Charles Walton Adams, his Grandmother Emmie Reynolds Adams, his step-Grandfather George E. Gardner, and his Nephew Blair Nelson Sweet. "Beau" , as everyone knew him, grew up in Winter Haven, Florida with his sister Mary Patricia Adams. He graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1975 and attended college in North Carolina. His love for the outdoors had him barefoot water skiing at 9 years old. His love for the water did not end there as he fished all over the Bahamas and the Florida keys where he lived briefly. Beau loved hunting and was an excellent Skeet and Trap shooter carrying an average in the high 90's. Beau, at a very early age, had a passion for Boat Racing. A third generation Boat Racing Champion preceded by his Grandfather "Doc" Dr. Charles Walton Adams and his father Charles Walton "Wally" Adams. As a "Rookie" at age 17, he won the Eastern Divisional Championship with his Formula " S " Hydroplane in "Beau's Bogey", given to him as a Christmas present by his father. His Boat Racing career did not end there as he went on in 1975 to become the undefeated champion , to this day in his class, at The Miami Marine Stadium where he also earned the honor of "Rookie of the Year" from The American Powerboat Association. Racing in front of thousands of fans "Beau's Bogey" defeated one seasoned champion after another. In 1975 he defeated "Willard Wilson" then, National Champion Boat Racer who later went on to mentor him. His father ,Wally, always said that after that race he did not know who was mentoring who. Beau raced all over North America from Valleyfield, Quebec to Seattle, Washington before retiring " Beau's Bogey" to follow in his Grandfather's and father's footsteps to farm citrus at Adams Groves, Inc. Around 1990 he sponsored a Grand Prix Hydroplane Boat named "Physical Therapy". All proceeds from racing the boat went to benefit "The Miami Project" Cure for Paralysis Center at The University of Miami founded by NFL Player Nick Buoniconti. His quick humor and generous heart will always be dear to many, many friends and family. He would say, I love, my beloved dog "Max", family, friends, country, fishing, women, laughter, travel, God, southern rock and roll, country cookin', Imperial Polk County, boat racing, mud bogging, the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and the men and women fighting for our freedom. One of his favorite quotes was by Johnny Cash "If you do not love America, leave, if you do stay here and try and fix it. When asked of his political views he would always say, "We are in Big Trouble". His best friend, Alan Norris says that he was the best friend anyone could have. He is survived by his father, Charles Walton "Wally" Adams, Jr., his sister , Mary Patricia Adams, and step-Mother Margie E. Adams, companion and high school sweetheart, Karen Jessup Wampler, and many cousins and their families. A Memorial Service will be held at the Oak Ridge Funeral Care at 2425 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven, Florida at 2:00pm, Thursday, November 6, 2014. On December 6, 2014, a "Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Beau's honor. Time and Place of "The Celebration of Life" will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc. P O Box 2000 Boys Ranch, Florida 32064 Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236