Ranger Exes Memorial - RHS Class of 1942

Carlton Adams LANNIE CARLTON ADAMS, 94, of Gustine, TX was born July 31, 1925 in Stephens County, TX to Walter James & Mary Annie Dempsey Adams. He passed from this life on Oct. 19, 2019 in Abilene, TX, with burial at Bullock Cemetery near Ranger, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife, Veallia "Bea" Roarke Adams; his parents; sisters, Clara Mae Adams Cox (RHS-1950) and Lillian Cordelia Adams Boney (RHS- 1945); and brother, Welton Ott "W.O." Adams (RHS-1946). L.C. is survived by his sons, Roy Don Adams and wife Judy, Carl Ray Adams and wife Marilyn Brewster, and Alvin Joe Adams and wife Lecia; brother, Clinton Adams; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. L.C. grew up on their family farm outside of Ranger, TX. After he graduated from Ranger High School in the Class of 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943. He is listed as an Aerial Gunner in the 447th Bomb Group. He was actually the bottom ball turret gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress and was stationed at Rattlesden Air Base in England. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with three Bronze Battle Stars. He completed and survived 20 bombing raids from Dec. of 1944 thru March of 1945. For that achievement he received the distinguished Lucky Bastard award. He was honorably discharged from the Army Air Force in 1945. After his honorable discharge he married the love of his life, Veallia "Bea" Roarke (RHS-1943) in Jan. of 1946 in Ranger. They moved to and bought a farm and ranch near Gustine, TX, around 1948, where they raised their three sons, along with hay, grain, water melons, pecans, peanuts, sheep, goats, hogs, and a few horses. He retired from his farm and ranching business in 2012 and moved to Abilene where he resided for the remainder of his life.