Gary Wade Adams, age 68, longtime resident of Portland, peacefully passed away on January 20, 2012 of an aggressive melanoma cancer.»Gary was born in Portland, went to Madison High School, and received a Batchelor’s Degree in Arts and Letters and a Masters Degree in Theater from Portland State University. He was an accomplished actor in his early years and performed in many plays, Shakespeare a favorite. His desire to further an acting career lead to a part on the television series “Route 66”, and an opportunity to sign with the William Morris Talent Agency in New York. His roots were in Portland, however, so he began his television career as a floor director for the local PBS station, creating children’s shows and eventually hosted the nighttime entertainment show “Portland Tonight”. He also worked for the Multnomah County Educational Service District producing educational films.

He loved the early days of film, and was involved in many local projects, later transitioning to video. Teaming up with three other local talents, the comedy troupe BAMM was formed, and they played successfully to a local audience where they became well known; he spoke of these years as some of his fondest. Gary later returned to local television for eight years as the Phantom Reviewer for KGW’s PM Magazine, a segment that included local restaurant reviews. All the while, he had formed his own video production company. He eventually teamed with Portland’s Encounter Video and Chicago’s Questar Video, to collaborate on scores of successful travel videos for retail sale and cable television that garnered many notable awards. His collaboration with local talent and Encounter Video also produced the EMMY award winning children’s educational series “Where In The World”.

After retiring at the age of 64, he and his wife, Rita, moved to a serene community on the south Washington coast where he fulfilled a long-time desire to write a book about his dear mother, “Felicity”. Gary enjoyed a passion for boating, exploring and world travel, and spoke of the full life he had lived, accomplishing everything he set out to do.

Surviving family members include wife, Rita Adams of Bay Center, Washington; son, Todd Anthony Adams of Slidell, Louisiana; daughter, Lisa Sumner of Vancouver, Washington; sister, Dell Dickey of Eugene, Oregon; three grandsons’ and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held for Gary, to be announced in the months ahead