Curtis Adams on the radio
It’s been five years since Hamilton County lost a true treasure. Curtis D. Adams passed away July 2, 2019 leaving a void in the fabric of the community he loved so much.
The outspoken 86-year-old was the longest serving commissioner in the history of Hamilton County, and he served as chairman several times. To all his friends, he was known as Curtis and never met a stranger.
Commissioner Adams was willing to help constituents regardless of whether they lived in his district. He put Hamilton County first.
This writer remembers when a lady in Red Bank was having trouble with students waiting for the school bus in front of her house damaging her flowers. When Commissioner Adams found out, he called the bus superintendent of Hamilton County Schools and the next day the bus stop was moved up the street.
Commissioner Adams always listened to citizens’ complaints even when paying his respects to friends at a funeral home visitation. Mr. Adams would say, “That’s my job.”
Commissioner Adams never ran from the news media and reporters knew where to find him in the afternoon about 4:00 when there was a breaking story. The commissioner’s office was in the front of his family tire store on E. Main Street and the door was always open.
As a talk show host for 30 years, you wouldn’t want for a better guest; Mr. Adams kept the phones ringing. After Commissioner Adams served about a year on the Hamilton County Commission, he made his first appearance on WDOD’s Sunday Morning Sound Off. He’d cast some unpopular votes and the audience gave him a rough time. As the host, when the program was nearly over, I thought Mr. Adams would never return. At the close of the show the commissioner said, “Earl I’ve had a good time, I hope you’ll have be back real soon.” Commissioner Adams was on Sound Off more than any other guest in the history of the long running program.
Commissioner Adams was very outspoken, many times in a humorous way, and he would share his humor on this writer’s radio program. For instance, on his wife’s birthday Mr. Adams called and said, “Earl, I’m giving Dot something real special for her birthday this year, a new weed eater, garbage can and vacuum cleaner. We’ve been a little short of cash, but I found some super bargains at the thrift store.
He’d even joked about a non–existent Dot's Tree Service, (she’s mowing grass and trimming hedges, she needs the exercise) and his wife would have to explain to friends in the grocery store it was all in Curtis’ fun.
Mr. Adams was the son of a preacher, thus his passion for Southern Gospel Music. The commissioner loved the hymns and often led the singing at area churches. His favorite hymn was Fanny Crosby’s “Blessed Assurance.” He encouraged Hamilton County Trustee Bill Hullander to begin a monthly event known as the “Red Back Hymnal Singing” which is still held the third Sunday of every month. Mr. Adams didn’t miss a Sunday night until his health started to decline.
When this writer joined WDYN radio in 2005 Mr. Adams was named honorary chairman of the station’s bi–annual share a thons. He’d spend hours asking listeners to support the radio station that he loved.
Mr. Adams hosted a weekly program on WDYN, “Getting to know you.” He interviewed over 100 guests from preachers to politicians. The conversations included Chattanooga Attorney Jerry Summers, News Free Press writer J.B.Collins, Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles, Aztec Industries President Don Brock, Chattanoogan.com publisher John Wilson and the late pastor Dr. J.R. Faulkner.
The District 8 commissioner had an office on Ringgold Road in East Ridge and would often perform weddings. Young couples would come by his office wanting to tie the knot.
Dozens of pictures of governmental leaders hung on his office walls; they included several presidents, governors and mayors he’d met.
His life was never the same when his wife Dot died unexpectedly in 2014, but while grieving, the commissioner continued greeting and eating with friends often at Wally’s and Epicurean Restaurants in East Ridge. Mr. Adams was a people person, and a great listener.
Chattanooga News Free Press Publisher Roy McDonald hired Mr. Adams when he was 18 and he grew to love Mr. McDonald like a father. Mr. Adams served as circulation and advertising manager for decades at the newspaper he loved.
"Mr. Roy" was obviously his favorite person. He was proud of persuading Mr. McDonald to attend a surprise event at Tennessee Temple University hosted by Highland Park Baptist Church pastor Dr. Lee Roberson.
Mr. Adams always had a Roy McDonald story including the time he and Mr. Roy went to Arkansas and met then Governor (later President) Bill Clinton.
Mr. Adams was proud of his Democrat heritage but later in his career changed political parties (Republican). The senior commissioner said political affiliation didn’t matter much to him as his priority would always be working for the people.
In addition to being a Hamilton County Commissioner, Mr. Adams served as city manager of East Ridge and Crossville, Tn. A Street in East Ridge was named in Mr. Adams' honor.
The commissioner was very patriotic and served as civilian chairman of the annual Armed Forces Week Committee. He attended many of the Downtown Chattanooga Parades.
Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams, who wore a fresh pressed suit and tie, worked for all of us. His love for God, Country and Community was un-wavering as was his friendship to this writer.
Curtis and Dot Adams