Terry Lee Adams, age 57, of Springfield, exited the stage for the final time at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 20, 2006, after a courageous two year battle with lung cancer. He was at home surrounded by his family. Terry was born November 10, 1948, in Springfield, Missouri, to Dean and Thelma Adams. As a young man Terry attended College Street Baptist Church. In 1961 he moved with his parents and two brothers to Ozark, Missouri, where on July 24, 1964 Terry was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Ozark. Terry was active in debate and theater and graduated from Ozark High School in 1966 and attended SMS. Terry worked for the Zenith Corporation in Springfield for 18 years, then in 1994 he went to work for Bass Pro for 10 years. Terry was a writer, director, composer and actor. He was an entertainer. Terry had a golden talent for making people laugh. He especially enjoyed performing at the Springfield Little Theatre and was a member of the Actors Theatre of Missouri. Some of his most memorable roles were as Ernie Cusack in Rumors, Mr. Stanley in The Man Who Came To Dinner, Paul Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You, Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life and pictured here, as a gentleman whose air of dignity and composure is hilariously lost (along with his hat) when bestowed with sudden and unexpected generosity by Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Terry had an abiding love for animals. Four stray black cats that found their way to his doorstep over the years were rewarded with a safe, loving and happy home, their names-Blackjack, Java, Catrina and Emerald. Terry was rewarded with their antics and love in return. Terry was a loyal friend, an eccentric uncle, a much loved brother and adored son. He will be sorely missed, though we take comfort in knowing Terry has gone home to his Heavenly Father permanently healed and reunited with his earthly father Arthur Dean Adams. Terry leaves behind his mother, Thelma Adams; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Dean and Mary Adams and Jeff and Andra Adams; one sister, Valerie Adams; a niece Sarah Orr and her husband, Mark, all of Ozark; two nephews, Arthur Adams and his wife, Kimberly, Nixa; and Jesse Adams, Ozark; one great-niece, Emily Orr; an English Bulldog named Winston and two very special miniature Schnauzers named Freddy and Willy who stayed at Terry's bedside and helped watch over him during the final days of his illness. Bravo Terry! Services will be held Wednesday, August 23, at 6 p.m. in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastor Tommy Bilyeu speaking, and visitation following the service. Burial will be in Sparta Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3322 S. Campbell Avenue, Ste R, Springfield, MO 65807, or church or charity of the donor's choice.