On October 4, 2025, after a short illness, Gary Justin “Garfield” Adams, aged 69 years, passed away peacefully at his home.
He was born on May 03, 1956 in Jackson, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert and Minnie Adams, three brothers, Donald, Harwedia, and Bobby, two sisters, Catherine and Carmella, and a son, Justin Caudill.
A life-long musician, Gary was a gifted singer and an acoustic guitar virtuoso. In his youth, he played professionally along with his brothers Bobby and Eric; and their band, The Southern Brothers Bluegrass Band, was awarded numerous prizes at regional Bluegrass Festivals. Gary loved to play music and sing for people; his repertoire was wide, ranging from Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Lum Patton to Ted Nugent and The Rolling Stones. But Bluegrass was in his blood, and his favorite song was “Smokey Mountain Memories.” Gary would play the guitar and sing for anyone he’d meet. The final song he played and sang for his friends and family, just a few days before he passed, was the traditional gospel song, “I’ll Fly Away.”
Gary is survived by his former wife, Priscilla Barker, and a son, Donnie Caudill, both of Rives Junction, MI; five brothers, Larry Adams of Grass Lake, MI, Kennard Adams of Florida, Timothy Adams of Grass Lake, MI, Eric Adams of Greenville, SC, Randall Adams of Saline, MI; two sisters, Jacaleen Craft and Colleen Neeley, both of Holt, MI, and many nieces and nephews who all thought the world of him.
He also leaves behind the devoted staff members at Christ Centered Homes in Jackson, MI, where Gary lived for the final six years of his life. They all were, particularly Cheryl Howard and Donella “Mom” Edwards, very much a family to him. We are eternally grateful to them.
Both Gary and his departed mother were life-long and devoted members of the Church of Christ in Stockbridge, MI, and the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the church.
Visitation will be held at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5-7 p.m., and at the church on Saturday from 12:00 noon until the time of service.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of Christ, Stockbridge on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., with Roy Wolf and Larrel Whitaker officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
