Nate L. Adams II, of Vero Beach, and Lexington, Va., died Nov. 20, 2013, at his home.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Eloise Knox Adams; his three sons: Hawes and his wife, Karen, of Columbia, S.C., Robert Knox and his wife, Cathy, of Woodbridge, Va., Nate III and his wife, Liza, of Winchester, Va.; five grandchildren, Kimbrough, Cabell, Lee, Rob, and John Adams.
Adams was born on March 2, 1924, in Lynchburg, Va., the youngest of four children of the late Isaac F. and Sallie Kimbrough Coleman Adams.
He graduated from Augusta Military Academy in Fort Defiance, Va., and worked as a professional musician with the Sonny Dunham Orchestra prior to enrolling in the Virginia Military Institute in the fall of 1941.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into World War II, Adams enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Theatre.
After the war ended, Adams returned to Lexington to complete his education at Washington & Lee University, graduating with the class of 1948.
He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
After graduation, Adams returned to the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer, serving from 1948 through 1972, which included both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
He retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After the completion of his military career, he relocated to Florida and worked as the vice president of the Atlantic Ridge Corporation, an international real estate development company.
Adams was an enthusiastic member of several professional military organizations and attended many reunions of his comrades in arms, as well as class reunions for VMI and Washington & Lee.
Burial will be with his Marine comrades in Quantico National Cemetery, Quantico, Va., at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to The Campaign for Washington & Lee, 204 West Washington Street, Lexington, Virginia 24450-2116.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
