LANNIE CARLTON ADAMS, 94, of Gustine, TX was
born July 31, 1925 in Stephens County, TX to Walter
James & Mary Annie Dempsey Adams. He passed from this
life on Oct. 19, 2019 in Abilene, TX, with burial at
Bullock Cemetery near Ranger, TX.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Veallia "Bea"
Roarke Adams; his parents; sisters, Clara Mae Adams
Cox (RHS-1950) and Lillian Cordelia Adams Boney (RHS-
1945); and brother, Welton Ott "W.O." Adams (RHS-1946).
L.C. is survived by his sons, Roy Don Adams and wife
Judy, Carl Ray Adams and wife Marilyn Brewster, and
Alvin Joe Adams and wife Lecia; brother, Clinton Adams;
6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several
nieces and nephews.
L.C. grew up on their family farm outside of Ranger,
TX. After he graduated from Ranger High School in the
Class of 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force in
1943. He is listed as an Aerial Gunner in the 447th
Bomb Group. He was actually the bottom ball turret
gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress and was stationed
at Rattlesden Air Base in England. He was awarded the
European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with
three Bronze Battle Stars. He completed and survived
20 bombing raids from Dec. of 1944 thru March of 1945.
For that achievement he received the distinguished
Lucky Bastard award. He was honorably discharged from
the Army Air Force in 1945. After his honorable
discharge he married the love of his life, Veallia
"Bea" Roarke (RHS-1943) in Jan. of 1946 in Ranger.
They moved to and bought a farm and ranch near Gustine,
TX, around 1948, where they raised their three sons,
along with hay, grain, water melons, pecans, peanuts,
sheep, goats, hogs, and a few horses. He retired from
his farm and ranching business in 2012 and moved to
Abilene where he resided for the remainder of his life.