Following a brief illness, Wandel Ray (Buddy) Adams of Rockport, passed away on August 6, 2023, while surrounded by his children and family.
Buddy was born on September 4, 1935, in Spencer County to Henry Elmer and Mary Virginia Adams. He was a 1953 graduate of Rockport High School. For the next 44 years he worked at Inland Container Corporation in Evansville, where he served as president of the local union and spent his later years as a buyer before retiring in 1997. He was a Christian and a faithful member of the Rockport Nazarene Church.
Buddy began hunting and fishing in his youth and shared his love of the outdoors with his children by spending most family vacations in Kentucky camping, fishing, swimming, and boating on Lake Barkley. He especially liked playing competitive sports and seemed a natural at everything he attempted: golf, softball, basketball, horseshoes, pool and cornhole. Buddy was an avid bowler, bowling in multiple leagues each week and not once but twice bowled the perfect 300 game.
He was a master at euchre, seemingly remembering every card played, and enjoyed vegetable gardening, working in his yard, and Indiana basketball. Buddy was a remarkable storyteller who entertained all who knew him with jokes and stories of past escapades.
Following retirement, he and Shelby loved traveling outside Indiana. Some of their most memorable trips were to Alaska, Hawaii, New York City, the Abaco Islands, Branson, and extended stays in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Elmer Adams, his wife Shelby, his son Darryl Adams, his stepchildren Teresa Gunn and Scott Gunn, his brother Gerald Adams, and his life-long friend Charles “PeeWee” Gentry.
He is survived by his daughters Sherry Barnhart of Little Rock, Arkansas and Shelly Cooper (Paul) of Dale, his son Dale Adams (Martha), stepdaughter Julie Blissett and stepson Tommy Gunn (Chris) all of Rockport; granddaughters Tricia Larsen (Jeff), Cassandra Adams, Bridget Wells (Lucas), Sarah Adams, and Marie Adams; grandsons Dale Adams, Derek Lowery, Drew Lowery (Rachel), Caleb Barnhart (Jon), Gabriel Barnhart (Jenna), and Lyonel Cooper (Elizabeth); great-grandchildren Marquis Adams, Jasmyn Adams, Noah Larsen, Tobias Larsen, Bentley Wells, Kieren Wells, Mario Watkins, Jr., Mia Blissett, Vivien Hofmann, Merritt Barnhart, and Ellis Barnhart; his sister Judy Green, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
There are no words to convey the great love and respect shared for this kind, witty, and generous man who was the rock of his family. He faithfully served and loved his Lord in whom he trusted with all his heart and was truly happiest while with his family and being Papaw Buddy to his grandchildren. His wisdom and guidance and words of encouragement will be forever missed, yet the values he instilled and the unconditional love he gave will hold him close to their hearts.
Services begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 12, at Boultinghouse Funeral Home in Rockport. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, immediately prior to the service, at the funeral home. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Indiana ALS Association.
 Adams of Rockport, passed away on August 6, 2023, while surrounded by his children and family.Buddy was born on September 4, 1935, in Spencer County to Henry Elmer and Mary Virginia Adams. He was a 1953 graduate of Rockport High School. For the next 44 years he worked at Inland Container Corporation in Evansville, where he served as president of the local union and spent his later years as a buyer before retiring in 1997.){kind=link}