Amigos for Christ photo

ATLANTA–Father James Patrick “Jimmy” Adams, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, died in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 12. He was 76 years old and a priest for more than 41 years.

Father Adams was born to Robert and Leda Hrynchuk Adams in Johnson City, New York, on Sept. 26, 1946. He graduated from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida, with a Master of Divinity. Father Adams was also a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He was working on a master’s in business when he was invited to a Cursillo weekend where God called him to the priesthood.

Father James Patrick “Jimmy” Adams

He was ordained a priest on June 5, 1982 by Archbishop Thomas Donnellan at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta.

His first assignment following ordination was as a parochial vicar at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Sandy Springs. From June 1987 to January 1994, Father Adams served concurrently as the priest in charge of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Sharon and St. Mary Church in Elberton while leading St. Joseph Church in Washington as its pastor.

He was named pastor of Prince of Peace Church in Flowery Branch in 1994, leading the parish for almost five years. His service to the archdiocese also included membership on the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee.

In June 1999, the archbishop released Father Adams to undertake missionary work in Nicaragua.

“I literally heard the Lord telling me to go to Nicaragua,” said Father Adams at the time. “It was as strong a call as when I got the call to the priesthood.”

Father Adams was instrumental in establishing Amigos for Christ there, and family members said that his heart was always there.

When Father Adams returned to the archdiocese in 2001, he served as pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Fayetteville for six years, and then as chaplain of Our Lady of Mercy High School in Fayetteville. At the high school, he led the students in many meaningful projects including creating a garden as a space for prayer and reflection.

He moved to Florida to care for his ailing mother in 2015.

Father Adams is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by sisters Carol Bryant of Sun City, Florida, Maureen Adams of Murphy, North Carolina; brothers Robert Adams of Murphy, North Carolina, Jerry Adams (Frances) of Auburndale, Florida, and Mark Adams of Bradenton, Florida; nieces Theresa Wallace (Cody) of Port Orange, Florida, and Stacey Adams of Auburndale, Florida; the many people he served in the Atlanta Archdiocese, all those associated with Amigos for Christ and his fraternity brothers from Georgia Tech who included him in their yearly reunions.

The wake and reception of the body will be at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20. The funeral Mass will be at the cathedral on Monday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. followed by burial at Arlington Cemetery. A reception at St. Jude the Apostle Church will be held afterward.

Donations in memory of Father Adams may be given to Amigos for Christ at amigosforchrist.org.