Raymond Adams

,Raymond L. Adams, Sr.

Raymond L. Adams, Sr., passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 86. He was born on December 7, 1939, in Louisville, KY to James R. Adams, Sr. and Clara M. Adams.

Affectionately known as “Ray”, he was a 1957 graduate of Valley High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree from the University of Kentucky in 1965. His education laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to conservation and stewardship of the land.

During Ray’s college days through the mid-1970’s, his outgoing personality helped him connect with viewers on WHAS Radio/TV, where he worked part-time doing garden demonstrations on TV, and hosted a weekly gardening radio show. He also gave the farm report on the WAKY Radio station.

For 27 years, Ray worked as a Field Representative for the Kentucky Division of Conservation, where he served 15 districts in north central Kentucky. He was dedicated to teaching and promoting soil conservation, working to protect the earth for future generations.

Ray officially retired in 2002, but soon after was appointed by the state to fill a vacancy on the Jefferson County Conservation District Board, where he was reelected three times. The Governor later appointed him to serve two, four-year terms on the Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission, as Secretary.

To his family, he was “Pop” and “Uncle Ray”—a gentle man who loved God and was devoted to his family. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor, his generosity and kindness. He loved being in nature, sharing stories, gardening, cooking, photography, woodworking traveling and researching family genealogy.

Ray married Rhonda Lusk in 1968, and they built a wonderful life together, which included their daughters Karen and Laura, and son Ray, Jr. He was a supportive and involved father, often helping with their school activities like band, choir and Boy Scouts. Over the years, Ray and Rhonda enjoyed camping, boating and fishing, helping with 4-H, cooking together, attending church, gardening, and traveling. They were married for 34 years, until Rhonda’s passing in 2003.

Ray met Ava Paris in a Sunday school class at Southeast Christian Church. They were married in 2009 and have spent the last 16+ years making each other laugh, traveling, watching the grandkids grow up and devotedly loving and supporting one another through life’s challenges.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, James R. Adams, Sr. and Clara M. Adams, sister Mary Tucker, brother James R. Adams, Jr., and wife, Rhonda Lusk Adams.

He is survived by wife, Ava Dawn Paris Adams, daughters Karen Gott (Michael), Laura Leach (Robert), son Raymond L. Adams, Jr., grandson Jackson Leach, step-granddaughter Haley Leach, sisters-in-law Rosemarie Adams and Ellen Barnard (Chris), Laraine Fairbanks (Steven),brother-in-law Hearshel Riley (Mary Lou), nieces Sharen Brawner, Linda Frauli (Toni), Ronda Robben (Richard), Monika Miller (Keith), Heidi Adams, Brigitte Adams, Sharon Riley, Natalie Barnard, niece-in-law Deborah Atcher, nephews David Atcher, James F. Adams (Sylvia), Joseph Riley (Beth), Hayden Barnard (Brooke) and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ray is also survived by Ava’s family, whom he loved as his own: daughter Kelly Paris, grandchildren: Bryan Gill, Meghan Paris Reed, Brianna Paris, Kayleigh Paris and John Sweikousky, great grandchildren: Shaun Paris (Guilia), Noah Reed, Avery Reed and Vivian Gill, great-great-grandchild: Oakley Paris.

A special thank you to the kind and caring staff of Forest Springs Health Campus, where Ray resided in their assisted living community.

Ray will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. We invite you to join us as we remember and celebrate his life.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with a private family visitation from 12 noon to 1 pm, and public visitation from 1 pm to 6 pm. Visitation on Sunday, January 11, 2026 will be from 11 am to 1 pm. Funeral will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 1 pm. Both visitations and the funeral will be at Newcomer. Burial will be on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 3 pm, Resthaven Memorial Cemetery, 2105 Havenview Drive, Louisville, KY, in Section 2.

If you would like to donate in lieu of sending flowers, you may wish to consider Wayside Christian Mission, who provides food, shelter and programming to homeless and other vulnerable persons in KY. Their website is: www.waysidechristianmission.org/donate or by mail: P.O. Box 7249, Louisville, KY 40257.