As a civic leader, he put Miami first. He also put family first. Larry Adams dies at 97

Larry Adams never missed a single one of his son’s sports games, even when all three were on the same day in different cities.

“He would move mountains to be able to get there for us,” one of his sons, Ron Adams, said. “He was a very caring, loving man who was also very strong and used his resources to help others, and was just a great father.”

That dedication also was apparent in his civic and professional life.

Adams served in over 36 community service organizations, including as the first person to serve as chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and president of the Orange Bowl Committee in the same year, 1986-1987.

Lawrence “Larry” Adams died peacefully at his Cutler Bay home on Dec. 10 at age 97. His family was by his side.

“From my perspective, it was basically growing up with a real-world hero,” said his youngest son, Thad Adams, who serves on the Orange Bowl Committee and is the past chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

Larry Adams was born and raised in West Palm Beach, eventually following his parents’ move to Miami after he served in World War II in the Army. He achieved the rank of corporal and received the World War II Victory Medal and the Occupation Medal Germany.

University of Miami and FPL years

Adams attended the University of Miami from 1947-49 but could not finish his studies there due to his obligations in taking care of his mother and younger sister.

During his two years at UM, he played on the Hurricanes baseball team —an experience that changed his life.

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” Adams told the Miami Herald in 2017 during UM’s annual Fan Fest & Alumni Game. “Just look at all the love flying around here.”

In 1949, Adams began a 42-year career at Florida Power & Light after a company manager approached him off the baseball field to recruit him to play on their baseball team.

He started as a lineman, digging ditches and climbing poles, and it was atop one of those poles in Miami Beach in 1951 that he first spotted Betsy. She was sunbathing.

“He begged his supervisor if he could please try to go get a date with her,” son Ron Adams said. “The supervisor said there’s no way she’s gonna go out with you.”

Larry persuaded Betsy to go on a date. They fell in love and got married, remaining together for 73 years until his recent death.

They had three sons: Lawrence Jr., 72, an architect; Ron, 69, an attorney; and Thad, 64, a commercial real estate managing director.

“They had the most unbelievable marriage,” Ron said. “I have never heard them raise their voices to each other ever ... not even when I was a kid.”

While working as a lineman for FPL during a strike, Adams was unexpectedly called to the president’s office and praised for a letter he had written suggesting solutions to end a strike. This marked the first time he was moved off the field and assigned to handle customer complaints.

He then made his way up the corporate ladder at FPL, eventually serving as the youngest vice president of the Southern Division of Dade-County.

Not only was he the backbone of the largest electric utility in the nation, but the work and impact he had could be felt across South Florida.

“When you see everything he did, you’re going to wonder about how he did that, with only 24 hours in a day,” Ron said.

A Miami civic leader

Adam’s list of accomplishments includes leadership positions in the United Way of Miami-Dade County, the Hispanic Heritage Festival Committee, Miami-Dade and Coral Gables Chambers of Commerce, Florida Memorial College, and the Greater Miami Super Bowl XXIII Host Committee.

As chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Adams played a crucial role in securing the Miami Heat’s inaugural season by leading efforts to meet ticket sales quotas and ensuring the NBA’s approval of the franchise.

“We would not have the Miami Heat without my dad,” said Thad Adams.

Zev Buffman, a founding partner of the Miami Heat, wrote Adams a letter thanking him for his help in 1986.

“You taught me to really appreciate the friendship of the chamber. I was a bit of a loner before,” Buffman wrote.

Additionally, Adams was instrumental in the development of the Malcolm Baldrige Foundation and its National Quality Award, established in 1987 by Congress.

Adams’ life of service earned him numerous accolades, including the National Conference of Christians and Jews Silver Medallion Award, the University of Miami’s Iron Arrow Honor Society, the Miami Urban League’s Black Awareness Award, and the Reuben Askew Award that was named after Florida’s former governor.

His legacy was even put on a street sign when a portion of Southwest 92nd Avenue was renamed Larry Adams Avenue.

Even in his later years, Adams continued to receive national recognition. At age 89, he earned the Florida Governor’s Sterling Ambassador of the Year Award. At 94, he was honored with both the Malcolm Baldrige Foundation Leadership Excellence Award in Business and the Henry M. Flagler Community Builder Award, one of the chamber’s most prestigious honors.

But his sons remember him as a father whose greatest achievement was his family. And despite his busy schedule, Dad was always home at 5:15 p.m., ready to play baseball in the backyard with his boys.

Survivors and services

Adams is survived by his wife of 73 years Bessie “Betsy” Arminta Gregg Adams and sons Lawrence Jr., Ron and Thad.

A memorial service and family reception is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at Christ Journey Church, 624 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables.

The family asks that donations be made in honor of Larry Adams to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Greater Miami.

This story was originally published December 13, 2024 at 2:16 PM.