Obituary for Roland Lee Adams: June 20, 1935 to December 10, 2024

From the family of Roland Lee Adams: June 20, 1935 – December 10, 2024

Trying to sum up Roland Lee Adams in a few paragraphs is like trying to fit a lifetime of adventure, mischief, laughter, and wisdom into a single fishing tackle box—it just won’t all fit. But we’ll give it a shot.

Roland once wrote that his idea of perfect happiness was “having a family that loves one another” as we do. If that’s the case, then he lived a perfectly happy life. He titled his final book of short stories “What a Ride!”, and anyone who knew him would agree—what a ride it was.

Born in Woodland, California, to Laura Iola (Odi) and Roland B. Adams, Roland came into the world in the shadow of World War II, something that no doubt shaped his lifelong patriotism and deep love for his country. But before he could run toward his future, he had to learn to walk—literally. Born with a club foot, he spent his earliest years shuttled between Sacramento and the San Francisco Shriners Hospital for countless surgeries and treatments. That might have slowed down a lesser man, but Roland was never one to let a minor inconvenience like a ‘mere’ clubbed foot get in the way of him joining the military, playing ping pong, bowling, and most importantly fishing. He had quite the competitive spirit.

His childhood was spent roaming the wilds of North Sacramento and Rio Linda when it WAS still wild, where his family built businesses, friendships, and a whole lot of stories. His parents and grandparents were entrepreneurs who founded and ran multiple businesses, from Aero Supermarket to Adams & Giraud Construction Company, instilling in him a deep appreciation for hard work and ingenuity. And when it wasn’t work, it was play—camping and fishing with his family and his MommaMae and Grandpa Charlie throughout the Sierra Nevada, Eldorado, Inyo, and Plumas County lakes and mountains, getting into just enough trouble to keep life interesting, and always planning the next big thing.

After graduating from San Juan High School in 1952, with the Korean War in full swing, Roland enlisted in the Army. By the time he completed Basic Training and trained with the 25th Infantry, the war was winding down, but his sense of duty never wavered. While military life didn’t place him as an ace on the shooting range, he quickly found his niche—embracing KP (Kitchen Patrol) duty with his usual humor and determination and excelling in surveying assignments. His aptitude for mapping and land surveying led to his assignment with the USGS in Alaska, where he helped map the territory before it became a state—experience that would later shape his career in land use planning and public service. But before heading to Hawaii to finish his service career, he took a fateful leave—where he met the love of his life and first wife, Vitus “Vi” (Archer) Adams.

From there, Roland and Vi’s life was a series of adventures, challenges, and triumphs. They built a life centered around family and he built multiple businesses in Auburn, Weimar, Lake Tahoe, and Yerington, always drawn to the freedom of traveling in an RV with family, getting out fishing in his prized Trophy fishing boat, and the challenge of creating something from nothing. Whether it was running businesses, learning to fish a new inlet of the Sacramento Delta or Antelope Lake, or just telling stories so good they had to be at least a little true, he lived with no regrets and a full heart.

Through it all, Roland remained a devoted father, husband, grandfather, and friend. His patriotism was unwavering, his work ethic unmatched, and his love for family at the heart of everything he did. His passion for politics took root when he was a part of establishing the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), leading to a lifetime of public service in Douglas and Lyon counties. Dubbed “Landslide Adams” after a few razor-thin victories as a Lyon County Commissioner, he eventually capped his career as the City Manager of Yerington, a town he cherished. Even in his later years, he never fully retired, working as a planning consultant for Mineral County until his final year—often joking that his drafting hand was steadier in his late 80s than it had been at 40! A staunch conservative, Roland never shied away from a spirited debate—often the louder and more passionate, the better. He thrived in the clash of ideas, believing that real progress came from pushing boundaries and challenging perspectives. It wasn’t always comfortable, but he relished the opportunity to argue his point, especially with those who disagreed with him. And in his ideal world, no matter how heated the discussion, it ended with a handshake or a hug. Some of his most prized friendships throughout his life were with those he disagreed with the most strongly.

There wasn’t a musical instrument he couldn’t play by ear—whether it was the banjo, ukulele, drums, or even a kazoo, he delighted in picking out a tune and singing along. He sang wonderfully, his rich voice filling any room with warmth and his obvious joy. He was not only gifted musically, but his talents as a graphic artist were always at play. He generously donated his artistic skills to many Lyon County nonprofits (many that Vi had a hand in supporting or founding), painting signs and lending his creative touch wherever it was needed. In retirement, he discovered a passion for landscape painting (thank you Bob Ross), producing beautiful works that reflected his deep appreciation for the world around him. One of his greatest sadnesses in later years was losing his hearing, a loss that deeply impacted him. It not only made conversations more challenging—robbing him of the ability to quickly catch nuances and respond with his usual perceptiveness and empathy—but also took away much of his ability to play and fully experience the music he loved so dearly. Still, his spirit and thoughts (though now translated through text and social media) remained undiminished. His colorful vocabulary often left his family both laughing and blushing, and his stubborn streak was matched only by his wisdom. With a well-timed off-color joke, a strong opinion, or a knowing smile and hug, he left an unforgettable mark on those lucky enough to know him.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 64 years, Vitus “Vi” Lorene (Archer) Adams, his grandson Randy Brinkley, and his sister Sandy Chelgren—and his family takes comfort in knowing that somewhere, their reunion is filled with joy, laughter, and probably a some more embarrassingly colorful profanities (except from Vi, she never uttered a single bad word-truly).

Not only did he live a wonderful, full life with Vi, but he made every moment count after she left us in 2020. After losing Vi, he and his trusty sidekick, Sunny—his beloved fishing buddy and loyal Dachshund (though Oscar always remained in his heart)—spent a couple of years with his daughter Barbi and son-in-law Mark in the front apartment of the Yerington home they had sold to them on South Center Street. He loved that place, and his daily sparring matches and grudging trips to the grocery store with them were often the highlight of his day. Some adventures ensued with some trips with his daughter Charis to revisit his old San Francisco army bases and then his son Chuck and daughter-in-law Angie always managed to get him out fishing a few new and old places when it was warm enough!

Eventually, he began splitting his time between Florida in the winter and Rice Lake in Wisconsin in the summer with his other daughter, Kelly, and son-in-law, Bill—always preferring to stay where it was warm and there was fishing. His travels were made all the more interesting by the fact that he and Sunny did not fly, meaning his son Chuck, daughter Kelly, and grandsons had to take turns driving him on his journeys. Along the way, they never missed a stop in Arkansas to visit family and his sister-in-law, Lois.

In March 2024, something beautiful happened—what had been a deep friendship with Lois blossomed into something more. With his signature charm, he won her over, and she agreed to share her life with him. They entered into a spiritual marriage, planning to divide his time between Kelly and Bill’s home and Arkansas —because, let’s be honest, cold weather was never his friend!

Roland is survived by Lois Archer and his children: Chuck (Angie) Adams, Kelly (Bill) Fraser, Barbara (Mark) Rowley, and Charis (Hodor, her loyal dog) Adams, as well as his newly acquired kids (and forever nieces), Lora (David) Qualls and Leah Archer.He is also survived by his sister, Connie (Mike) McGowan; his brother, Terry (Judy) Adams; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a lively collection of nieces, nephews, and friends who all carry his stories forward.

Save the Date: A Memorial Celebration honoring both Roland and Vi will be held at The Topaz Resort at Topaz Lake on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 1–4 p.m.

If you would like to attend or share a favorite Roland or Vi story, please RSVP or share here: https://forms.gle/nFBZZajPKTdwS4kQA

In true Roland fashion, bring your best stories, a musical instrument if you are so inclined, and a few good jokes—because if he were here, he’d be the one telling them first. In lieu of flowers, Roland would be pleased if you considered donating to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in your hometown or area.