Ryan James Adams

October 21, 1983 – March 12,2025

On a very rainy, early Wednesday morning, March 12, 2025, Ryan James Adams completed his struggle with cancer at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. He passed away peacefully with his dear wife, Sara, by his side.  Ryan was 41 years old.

Ryan was born on October 21, 1983, at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska to James Adams and Deborah Adams-Kunz. He joined three sisters at home. He came early and came fast. Jim came home from work about 5:30, the girls were dropped off at a friend’s house, and he was born about an hour later. Ryan was a very active, happy little boy with a great imagination and lots of energy.

Because of Jim’s position with the Federal Railroad Administration, our family later moved to Bennington, Nebraska, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and finally Vancouver, Washington.  He made friends wherever we went.

Ryan enjoyed many family activities including family road trips, camping trips, and fishing trips. Many of these activities were enjoyed with uncles, aunts, and cousins. As a young man he enjoyed participating in Boy Scout activities, skate boarding, and playing on some sports teams including wrestling, baseball, and football. He even tried playing the violin. He also enjoyed building and fixing things. When taking a horticulture class, he was given the assignment of trimming a bush or tree. After trimming the tree in the front yard, it was never the same again!

After Ryan and Sara were married, they, and many times with Aydin, went on many adventures. They enjoyed camping, going to the beach or the lake, and attending concerts. They enjoyed taking the jeep up four wheeling. In good weather, they watched movies on the side of their home. He was a “trekkie” and loved anything that included Star Wars. He also enjoyed anything that involved Sasquatch or Big Foot.  Ryan often joined his father in law to watch “Let’s Make a Deal” and ”The Price is Right” before going to work. He liked working on many “home improvement” projects on their home.

For the last three years, Ryan enjoyed building custom cabinets for Pacific Crest Custom Cabinetry in Ridgefield, WA.

Throughout his short life, Ryan had many friends, tried many different activities, had many struggles, and learned many of life’s lessons, sometimes the hard way. He had a very tender heart and would do anything to help a friend.

Ryan has a large family who mourn his passing including his beloved wife, Sara, LaCenter, WA,  stepson, Aydin McCulley, LaCenter WA, father-in-law, Pat McCulley, LaCenter, WA and brother-in-law, Ryan McCulley, LaCenter, WA. His children include Elizabeth Quinsland, Forest Grove, OR, Ethan Quinsland, Sherwood, OR, and Orrin Adams, Vancouver, WA. Ryan’s family include his parents, Jim Adams and Debbie Adams-Kunz in Vancouver and his brothers and sisters. They include Chris Campbell (Melinda), Eagle, ID; Shonda Adams, Everett, Washington; Tami Campbell (Ian) Gibbons, BC; Eryn Hibbs (Bill), Battleground, WA; Ashley Gomez, Vancouver; Kaelynn McDonald (Steve) Bend OR; Scott Adams, Vancouver; and Jenessa Kremer (Kyle) in Vancouver. His brothers and sisters had the opportunity to visit with Ryan before he passed. They were all able to express their love for him. Uncle Ryan will also be missed by his numerous nieces and nephews who loved their uncle very much. In addition, numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins join us in missing him, his loving smile, his quick laugh, and his great sense of humor.

Ryan was preceded in death by his stepfather, Chris Kunz, mother-in-law, Tonni McCulley, grandparents, Kay and Georgia Briggs and Darel and Marie Ashbaker, cousin, Derek Sanders and uncle, Mike Sanders.

A “Celebration of Ryan’s Life” will be held at the RV Inn Style Convention Center, 7607 NE 26^th Ave., Vancouver, WA.  It will be held at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6^th. Come and join us as we share our memories and tributes to Ryan with family and friends.

A special thank you goes to the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for Ryan while he was treated at OHSU in Portland. Their loving service to Ryan will never be forgotten.  Cremation services were provided by Omega Funeral and Cremation Service in Portland, Oregon.

Ryan, we love you and will miss you very much. We know we will see you again as well as our other loved ones who welcomed you. What a reunion that must have been!

Throughout his life, he expressed his love to us often. Jenessa found a letter from Ryan that concluded with “I love you so much. Thank you for never giving up on me.” Ryan, we always loved you and never gave up on you! Until we meet again…