Robert Hart Adams, 85, an 18-year resident of Willow Park, peacefully passed away with family by his side on November 15 in his home at The Waterford in Fort Worth.
Born on January 28, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, Bob spent his formative years in Winslow, Arizona, where he loved playing football as a guard and graduated from high school in 1958. Shortly thereafter, Bob joined the United States Air Force where he met his wife and served four years as a crash and rescue firefighter at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth; which would shape his lifelong passion of airplanes, flying, firetrucks, and photography.
Following his military service, Bob transitioned into civilian life with the same sense of purpose and leadership. He held management and sales positions at Montgomery Ward and Bizmart before opening his own retail store on the base called “Air Memories.” Through this venture he became connected as a volunteer and served as President of the B-36 Peacemaker museum. Bob remained deeply connected to aviation history—and dedicated many years as a volunteer and was instrumental overseeing the build of the Strategic Air Command monument at the entrance of the now NAS Joint Reserve Base. He also worked tirelessly to preserve the history of the B-36 to help ensure its continued presence in Fort Worth and oversaw the recovery and restoration of “Big Red,” a crash and rescue Air Force fire truck.
One of Bob’s favorite hobbies was allowing kids a close up experience to get into the cab of his yellow Spartan fire truck. This brought joy to both young and old where he made appearances at schools, birthday parties, and local parades including the Aledo Ladycats softball state champions and leading the Aledo Bearcats to the AT&T stadium during the playoffs. Bob was also an accomplished author of “The day in the life of a US Air Force Firefighter during the cold war.” He enjoyed RV travel taking Route 66 to the Grand Canyon and onto California to visit his family.
Bob enjoyed art, music, and reading history and military books and re-watching a variety of old military movies. His home was often filled with love and laughter where family gathered around the dinner table, watched Dallas Cowboy football games, or Texas Rangers baseball. His favorite pastime was enjoying conversations with a glass of merlot; discussing current events, or just about any topic on his mind.
Bob’s main love language was words of affirmation—as he rarely gave a card without writing a heartfelt message inside. His thoughtful nature left an enduring impression on all who knew and loved him.
Bob will be deeply missed by his sons Douglas Ray (Lee Ann) and James Robert (Jessica); grandchildren Amber (Jared), Amanda, Brandon (Rachel), Weston (Arianna), Courtney, and Chelsea; and great-grandchildren Justin, Matt, Arianna, Jason, Ronan, Aerie and Emerson. His surviving sisters are Sue and Linda (James) and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his father Ray Hart Adams; mother Frances, beloved wife Betty; and sister Shirley.
Bob will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to the importance of preserving military and aircraft history. A Memorial will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, at Greenwood’s Live Oak Chapel, located at 3100 White Settlement Road in Fort Worth. The eulogy will be given by Buster Cleveland and a luncheon reception will be held immediately after; details to be announced at the conclusion of the memorial service.
The Community News
November 21, 2025
