Earl Berkley Adams, Jr., 97, died on January 1, 2023 with his family by his side. He was born in Elizabeth City County to Eulalia Smith Adams and Earl B. Adams, Sr. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1942 and joined the US Navy in November 1943. He proudly served aboard the USS Lewis until 1946 and participated in the Philippine Liberation, Iwo Jima and Okinawa Campaigns. He and Alice Nuckols were married February 21, 1948. He graduated from NNS Apprentice School in 1949, and then from VA Tech in 1953 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating, he returned to Newport News Shipbuilding where he spent the most satisfying years of his career in the Cost Engineering Department. He ultimately became the first Director of Cost Engineering. He also served as Director of Ship Repair Marketing and retired in 1988 as Marketing Director. After retirement Earl and Alice traveled extensively. They drove cross country twice with grandchildren and also visited Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and other interesting places.

Earl was an active member of North Riverside Baptist Church in Newport News for over sixty years where he served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon.

Earl is survived by five children, Carol Briggs (Bill), Thomas Adams, Douglas Adams(Vicky), Amy Baird (Tony) and Nancy Adams (Karen); six grandchildren, Heather Adams, Matthew Briggs (Caroline), Ian Adams (Caitlin), Jason Adams, Ashley Siegmund (Carl) and Joshua Baird (Kelsey); and seven great-grandchildren, Jackson and Emerson Dutton, Grace and Claire Briggs, Brody and Kirra Adams, and Hadley Siegmund. Earl was predeceased by his wife, his mother and father, his brother Charles Adams, and his sister Edith Gaughan.

The family would like to thank his long-time caregiver, Paula Higgs, for her compassion and care.

A funeral service will be held at 12 PM on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Road, Newport News. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 11 AM to 12 PM. Burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.