Preston Adams Utica, formerly Tucson & Orlando Preston Adams, M/Sgt., Ret., USAF, 78, slipped his earthly bonds on March 19, 2007, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, with his wife, Shirley Hilts (Scott) Adams, by his side. He fought a heroic battle with esophageal cancer, finally succumbing to related complications. He was accepting and courageous, never complaining during several months of treatments and procedures. He was born in Bainbridge, GA, November 11, 1928, son of the late John M. and Edna (Ritter) Adams. He attended schools in Cairo and Bainbridge and enlisted in the Air Force at 19. Following basic training and tech school he was assigned to Tempelhof Airport, Germany, where he participated in the world's greatest humanitarian effort, the Berlin Airlift, that provided food and supplies for 462 days to 2.5 million West Berliners. He also served at Griffiss AFB, NY; 604th Aircraft Squadron, Germany; Warner-Robins AFB, GA; Thule AFB, Greenland; and Dover AFB, DE. While stationed at Griffiss AFB he met the young woman who would become his bride five decades later, in spite of separation, time and distance, and who would be at his side through his final days. Following his USAF retirement he earned a bachelor's degree in management, worked for the U.S Postal Service, and became a licensed realtor. He was a member of the American Legion, the AF Sergeants Association, Good Shepherd Catholic Church Men's Bible Study (Orlando), Corpus Christi Catholic Church Faith Sharing Group (Tucson), and served as a Peer Visitor with the Senior's OASIS Group at Tucson Medical Center. Preston was an avid fisherman in Florida and Georgia, an activity that he gave up on moving to Tucson. He had hoped to soon be on the waters of Central NY but, sadly, the opportunity eluded him. Preston was a quiet, modest, unassuming, loving, and generous man who placed the needs of his family first. He was always compassionate and caring, never too busy, and always willing to give of himself, his time, and his resources. He saw only the good in those around him. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Shirley, Utica; sister Erlene Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO; son, Fred and wife Loretta, Mesquite, TX; stepson, Sean C. Scott, Utica; stepdaughter, Gayle Bryant, Orlando, FL; grandchildren Mark Adams and wife Andrea, Kaufman, TX, Michelle Adams Smith and husband Leslie, Smithfield, VA; Christopher, Michelle, Destiny, Andrew, and Nicholas Adams, Mesquite, TX; niece Jeanie Henry, Kansas City, KS; nephew James Heard and wife Patty, Mena, AR; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Oravetz, Tucson, AZ, Barbara Ashline and Kathryn Norton, Utica, and Barbara Huber, Wilmington, NC; brother-in-law, Donald Sprague and wife Pat, Orlando; three step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, several great nieces and nephews and step-nieces and nephews, and his dog, Muffin. Also surviving are special cousins Curtis and Velma Sadler, Pelham, GA, Nell and C.J. Malphurs, Tallahassee, FL, and Geneta Meredith, Okechobee FL. He was predeceased by his stepmother Samantha (Brock) Adams; son, Frank; his first wife, Brigitte Fiebich; second wife, Shirley Sprague; and his step-sister and brothers, Rebecca, Isaac, Tommy, David, and Joe Daniel Brock. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Elizabeth Medical Center ER Fund (Utica), or the Building Funds at Corpus Christi (Tucson) or Our Lady of Lourdes (Utica). Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 24, 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Utica. The family will receive visitors after the Mass. Interment will take place in Climax, GA on April 28. Arrangements by the Heintz Funeral Home.