Christopher Todd Adams

Christopher Todd Adams of Hartsel, CO, passed away unexpectedly on March 13, 2023, at the age of 50. Chris was born July 17, 1972, at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

He graduated from Lake Braddock High School in Burke, VA, in 1990. Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, in 1996.

Chris had a heart of gold and a sense of humor for the ages. So many family and friends have their own “Chris stories” of how they benefited from his humor and generosity throughout their lives. Chris could break any awkward silence that may arise or create the perfect comeback to any remark, and thereby, make us all laugh with our entire beings. He was the ultimate mediator for any uncomfortable situation. He always knew what to say and how to say it. He was magic with people and always completely himself—never different around different people. He was a planner and a dreamer, a master of various skills—the perfect mix of a powerful logic combined with an appreciation for the joy, humor, and absurdities of life.

Chris was always willing to help others; he was a connector of people. He was larger than life and the kind of person who would take you under his wing and make you a friend for life. He was such a protector and finder of fun—a warm fire of a human being around whom everyone gathered. He looked upon each new person he met with expectation and excitement to make that connection with them immediately, to get a laugh, to make them feel comfortable as soon as he could. He was infinitely fascinated by others, and he never missed much about anything that went on around him–he was so physically and emotionally present with people at all times. To be with Chris was to have his complete attention. He would often notice things about people he interacted with, even in a casual way, that most people would not. He noticed when people were hard workers and took pride in their jobs. He liked for things to be done well, no matter how small the work might seem. He often embodied the values of an old soul in the ways he approached the world, and he was always wise beyond his years. Chris made people feel safe. He would cook for his friends and family, he would tell stories of the good times gone by, and he loved to sit around a table to share and laugh. You would often find him standing next to the stove with a pot of something he was cooking up for others to enjoy, while he surveyed the comings and goings of the people he loved most in the world, his family. His loving, presiding presence over his home would always come with his quick observations and razor sharp humor diving into the mix to play and provide fun whenever he could. There was always a twinkle in Chris’s eye as he enjoyed the life that he and his beloved wife Amanda created.

Chris was passionate about so many aspects of life, but his love of family and his appreciation and connection to the outdoors were always at the forefront of his attention. He would frequently plan family expeditions on rivers, lakes, mountains, and beaches found outside of Colorado–Chris’ love of the outdoors and family were woven tightly together. Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, . . . and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. . . I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” Chris “went to the woods” to make his home for himself and his family. He created an outdoor paradise for them to thrive within as Parker, Will, and Claire grew up. He nestled his family within the mountains of Colorado and fulfilled a lifelong dream of his and Amanda’s to be closer to the life-giving beauty of nature. As a couple, they always appreciated the truth of the world together, and to them, nature was the purest embodiment of living that truth. Chris looked life directly in the eye and knew what was worth his time and what was not–he is the epitome of a life well-lived. He found his soulmate in Amanda because she also wanted to live a life of integrity, kindness, and honesty. Chris was one of the realest and most down-to-Earth people anyone could ever meet in this world. There was not an ounce of snobbery in his entire body, and when he met Amanda, he found his home. They held each other up throughout life, while also holding each other accountable to remain true to their vision of a good life together where their children could thrive, and thrive they have.

Chris is survived by his wife of 21 years Amanda Walch Adams, sons Parker Xelphin (19) and William Todd (17), and daughter Claire Marie (12). He is also survived by his parents Gary and Alice Adams, brothers Brian Adams and Jeremy Adams, mother- and father-in-law  Rosemary and Larry Bray, five sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, 14 nieces and nephews, and an abundance of friends who loved him throughout his lifetime. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Xelphin and Zelma Adams, Floyd and Catherine Buttrum, his aunt Cathy Buttrum Young, and cousin Brad Young.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m. at The Pines at Genesee in Golden, CO.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up in Chris’s memory through the Central Colorado
Conservancy. In the comment section, please note "in memory of Chris Adams."

“For me, success is not a public thing. It’s a private thing. It’s when you have fewer and fewer regrets.”
-Toni Morrison