Leland "Lee" K. Adams

Leland "Lee" Kenneth Adams, 67, of Boonsboro, died on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at the Washington County Hospital.

Born on May 13, 1942, he was the son of the late Leland and Alice (Zahniser) Adams.

Lee graduated from Slippery Rock State College in 1964 with a degree in geography and cartography. He then attended the University of MD on a graduate assistantship in cartography and majored in geography. In 1966, he became a resource teacher in social studies at Col. E. Brooke Lee JHS and was employed there until 1979. Major interests at JHS were field trips to the Appalachian Trail, Smith Island, week trips studying nature as well as trips to study works in Congress, and to Gettysburg. He always had students write short essays on every exam. In 1979, he transferred to Seneca Valley HS where he taught history, government, and foreign affairs. He was also the volleyball coach.

Lee was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1968 and finally retired in 1983 on disability. Rather than concentrate on MS, he devoted most of his time to improving handicapped accessibility and awareness. He was a President/Member of the Disabled Citizens of Frederick County United.  His other interest was the Kiwanis of Frederick.

In 2000, he combined all of his resources to help his daughter and son-in-law build a new home in Boonsboro for all of them to live in. Moving from Frederick to Washington County was a major change in his life.

In the 1960's he was a man ahead of his time as his thesis was about global warming.  It again became his passion in 2007.  In his final words and message to others, Lee stated the following, "The USA must lead the rest of the world in decreasing the causes that lower the ozone in the atmosphere."

Lee is survived by his daughter, Kimberly R. Summers and her husband Jason Russell of Boonsboro; his step-father, Harry Italiano of Youngstown, Ohio; one sister Beverly Adams of Mercer, PA; and three grandchildren, Gavin, Hayden and Maxin Summers, all of Boonsboro, MD.

Friends are invited to visit beginning at 9 am on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro where the family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m.

A Memorial Service will be held in Lee's hometown on Saturday, August 1, 2009, at 7 p.m. at The Chapel at  Mercer, 300 South Pitt Street, Mercer, Pa.  Pastor David Robinson will officiate.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Post Office Box 4527, New York, New York, 10163.