Mike Adams

October 30, 1964 - July 23, 2020
Mike Adams

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Michael Scott Adams 55, of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away Thursday, July 23,
2020.

Mike was born in Columbus, Mississippi on October 30, 1964 the son of the late Joe
Dee Adams, Jr. and Julia Marilyn Rester Adams.

Mike’s teenage years were lived with a love for soccer and music. Although an injury
derailed his goalie career, he was skilled enough musically to pay his way through
college and postgraduate education by playing guitar in a duet. Upon earning his
doctorate at Mississippi State University, Mike became a Criminology Professor at
UNC-Wilmington as a staunch atheist and liberal. After seeing the mistreatment of
prisoners while doing criminology research in a South American prison, Mike realized
that there must be an objective standard of Good by which we could make sense of evil
and injustice. This helped lead him to Christianity which dramatically changed his
outlook. As his books and columns became more conservative, Mike found that the
university began to deny him promotions (even though he was continually rated very
highly by students). The case went all the way to the United States Fourth Circuit Court
of Appeals where Mike won a jury judgment that continues to protect the free speech of
professors to this day.

Over the years, Dr. Adams also taught over 15,000 students at Summit ministries and
several other venues. He is the author of several academic papers, hundreds of
columns, and three books including the most recent, Letters to a Young Progressive:
How to Avoid Wasting Your Life Protesting Things You Don’t Understand. Mike wrote
and spoke in support of the unborn and debated outspoken abortion advocates.
Several children are known to be alive today because of his work.

Mike was widely admired for his direct and often satirical approach to issues, but also
viciously attacked by his political opponents. Mike loved people and he defended the
rights of all of them to speak their minds. Our country has lost a bold advocate for
freedom and truth, but he will not be forgotten. We grieve that Mike is absent from his
body but rejoice that he’s now “present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

Surviving are his brother David Adams and wife Laura of Lake Saint, MO.; a Fiance’
who lives in Charlotte; Niece Kayla Adams of Colorado Springs, CO; and nephew Kevin
Adams of Kansas City, MO.; Uncles John Rester and wife Carrie of Gulfport, MS.; and
Jim Rester and wife Martha of Santa Rosa Beach, FL,

A private burial service will be held, and a public memorial will be announced at a later
date.

Share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Condolence” tab
below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403.
910.791.9099


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  • July 28, 2020
    Ron Woodard says:
    In memory of Mike and his fight for freedom and liberty.

  • July 28, 2020
    Raymond Adams says:
    I am heartbroken over Mike's death. I followed Mike on Facebook and Town Hall for quite some time and was the recipient of much learning from his writings. Although it has been many years ago, I knew his Father, Joe Dee, Jr. and Joe Dee, Sr. was my Grandfather Nathan Adams's brother. Joe senior was a great friend of mine whom I loved greatly. I didn't discover where Mike was until a few years ago when my Brother, Roy Adams, discovered his mother on Ancestry. Sometime later I wrote his father a letter, at Mike's request, shortly before his death. Mike was concerned that his father was not a Christian and was attempting to witness to him. Although I never met Mike, I feel his loss in an acute way. His work on defending free speech and his work defending the unborn is a loss, not only to me but to so many others that followed him. That work will not be in vain as the many followers, like myself and those much younger than me, will echo the principles that he lived by for years to come. I have been praying for the family and wish I could meet some of you in times to come.

  • July 28, 2020
    Kirk Huneycutt says:
    I’m saddened by the loss of Mike. I had Dr. Adams for criminal justice my freshman year at UNCW in 1995 and even though academics weren’t my main focus at that time, I remember thoroughly enjoying his class. I have great respect for Mike in that he boldly expressed his thoughts and beliefs even if they weren’t popular in an increasingly liberal collegiate and political atmosphere. Obviously a brilliant man and I didn’t know he was a guitarist. May God be with your family at this time. Rest In Peace

  • July 28, 2020
    Amy Brownewell says:
    Mike was one of my most favorite professors. I loved coming to his criminal justice class. He helped foster an open mindedness in his students and I will forever be grateful for his influence. I am lucky to have known him for even a brief period of time. I thought he was genuine and kind. He made me laugh and he made me appreciate learning new concepts

  • July 28, 2020
    David Lee Odom says:
    Mike ! I love you like a brother ! You excelled in anything you did .We all just marveled in your talents and your bravery to help those that could not defend themselves . You left a huge mark of goodness here . I hope those angels hand you a killer heavenly guitar and we will see you when we get there brother ! Love you man