of Russellville, AR

January 8, 1924 - July 16, 2019

Rayburne T. Adams, 95 born January 8, 1924 to Ida and Frank Adams of Pulltite, Arkansas which is now under Norfork Lake. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Dale Adams, twins Gearl and Eugene Adams. Rayburne passed July 16, 2019 in Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home in Russellville, after a two week stay in Russellville hospital. Dementia and Anesthesia just don't work together sometimes.

Rayburne was a good, kindhearted, caring and hard working man. At age 15 he went to CC camp in Calico Rock, Arkansas to learn a trade. Age 19 he worked on the Norfork Dam. He was called into WWII at 19, serving 2 yrs, 6 months, and 7 days (he wants that exact!). He was on over 30 islands during the war and saw a lot of action. After coming home he became an iron worker….love of his life for 50 years. Working on a lot of big projects, Astro Dome, Super Dome, Dams and high rises all over the U.S.

Upon retirement, he wanted to do something, so he worked for Wal-Mart for 10 years till the age of 92! Wal-Mart was the second love of his life. He loved seeing the kids and giving them money. He said he has 800 kids now. He was a generous and giving man; loaning money to people needing it and even giving his entire pay check to couples struggling with kids.

He had a love of animals; talking fondly of ''Cherry'' the cow as a kid, ''Tom Cat'' the cat, Sonny and Ginger the horses and adopting Allen's dog ''BoBo''. Rayburne had so many friends, but some were VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE, Candy and Terry Holldorf, Gail and Billy Evans and their son Joseph looking in on him these last few years; long time friend Allen Hand and Amy Walker at U.S. Bank. Last 4 years Maxcine Tilly would call every evening to chat. Special thanks to Linda the ''Bird Lady'' for caring for his cat.

Rayburne was such an independent person; he still mowed neighbors' yards and drove himself until a heart attack in May 2019. Sometimes, he'd have to resort to the lawn mower to get to places. Many residents of Heber Springs enjoyed trying to pass him…clipping down the street.

Visitation is Thursday, July 18, 2019 from 9:00-11:00 AM at Roller Coffman Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral services follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 AM with Kelly Rush officiating. Interment will be at Hand Cemetery in Jordan, Arkansas.

Pallbearers are Allen Hand, Joseph Evans, Billy Evans, Steve West, James Bramlett, and Adam Walker.

Military honors are provided by United States Army funeral honors team.

Roller Coffman Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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