Ben Leroy Adams, 81

Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Ben Leroy Adams, 81, passed away on Sept. 25, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife, Monique, and son, Frank, of Virginia Beach, Va., and his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Kirk Hubbard, of Polson. A Montana native, he was born on April 12, 1929, the seventh of eight children to Frank and Fannie Judkins Adams in Havre, and grew up and graduated from high school in Whitefish. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1948. Commander Adams served with distinction for over 30 years, and was a veteran of Korea where he was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. He also served in Vietnam in 1968-1969, where he earned the Bronze Star, and both a Presidential and a Naval Unit Citation. A Mustang, he retired in 1977 with, among other honors, a Joint Service Commendation medal. During his naval career, Cmdr. Adams served aboard the following ships: Leary, Juneau, St. Paul, Wrangell and Wilkinson. In Vietnam he served in Saigon and Danang, and as officer in charge in Cua Viet. He retired in Naples, Italy, after serving there in three consecutive NATO commands. Pen pals for five years, Ben and Monique were then married for 56 years and made a home for their family in Italy, England and France, in addition to the United States. They shared a love of nature and animals and enjoyed hiking and camping. The family thanks the staff of Sentara Bayside Hospital for their compassionate care. Cremation and Funeral Services of Tidewater is now assisting the family. A local service is not planned, as interment will take place at a later time in France. Memorial donations may be made to the Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 2128, Virginia Beach, VA 23450-2128; or to the North West Montana Veterans Food Pantry, 1349 Hwy. 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901 (veteransfoodpantry.org).