Raymond Arlando Adams was born on May 16, 1948 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Ernest Eugene Adams and Rosa Belle Adams (Carr). Ray entered the Army before finishing high school, served during the Vietnam War as a medical specialist, and was honorably discharged in 1972.  He later earned his GED and attended University College at the University of Cincinnati.

War scarred Ray in many ways and although he became a medic because he simply could not take a life, like many Vietnam veterans he was treated poorly when he returned home.  He suffered with PTSD for many years, long before the condition, and its causes, were generally acknowledged by the Veterans Administration.

Ray had a gentle way and true compassion for those who were suffering.  He worked in the emergency room at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati for years, then in senior care facilities and ended his career providing private duty care to end of life patients.

He never repaid "evil for evil" and had an indominable spirit of independence and good will toward all.  Ray came to the Lord at a young age at Macedonia Baptist Church.  Coming from generations of pastors, teachers, evangelists and disciples of Jesus, Ray knew about God's love, grace and judgements and always believed that God would not forsake him no matter who else did.

Ray loved his family and as each of his brothers Ernest Jr, James Melvin, and Kenneth preceded him in death, he became closest to his younger sister Lois Kathleen who always came to his aid in times of need.  They were more than siblings, they were friends. After a heart attack in 2012, it became difficult for her to oversee his care remotely so they mutually agreed that he would move to Framingham, Massachusetts to be closer to the family that loved and cared for him.

Ray loved Star Trek, fishing, movies, national politics, and any new gadget on infomercials!  He was our fiercely loving, determined, democratic, bureaucracy loathing, Vietnam Veteran who held a simple but true faith in God and his forgiveness.  His nieces Gail Adams, Kristen and Alexis Halbert, Lauren Merrill; nephews Tracy Adams and W.E. David Halbert; great nephew and nieces Lukas Adams, Meara, and Ophelia Halbert; sister Tracy Gee and other family/friends celebrate his life and mourn his absence in our family circle. He is in God's caring hands now and we will see him again.

There will be a private family service for Ray.  In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in "Raymond Adams" name to the New England Center and Home for Veterans, 17 Court St. PO Box 845257, Boston, MA 02284-5257 or go to: https://nechv.org/give-nechv/tribute-giving/