Marshall Blaise Adams was a lot of things. He was a son, a fraternity brother, an aspiring politician, a fan of John F. Kennedy and a friend, just to name a few.
On Aug. 31, the 22-year-old Adams died suddenly just a semester shy of his anticipated December graduation from the University of Alabama with a major in political science and American history. With no warning, friends and family now mourn the death of Adams and reflect back on the time they had with him.
Adams was enthusiastic about entering the world of politics. He had completed an internship in the office of Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, was president of the UA chapter of the law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta and had already begun looking at various law schools. Those close to him said he had a knack for being ahead of the game.
“He wrote me a letter once that said everything he does, he does for our future and for his future family,” said his girlfriend of two years, Caitlin Gottstine. “He wanted to be more than a lawyer and more then a philanthropist. He wanted to be a wonderful husband and a wonderful dad someday. He wanted to make sure he did everything right for the family he would have one day. He was doing everything to be better prepared for his future. He was so on top of things so he would be ready for the next chapter.”
Although Adams spent much of his time and energy on his schoolwork and extracurricular activities, he will be remembered for his passion and dedication to his family and friends.
“He had such an amazing sense of humor and an ability to make everyone he was with laugh,” Gottstine said. “He had this passion for everything in life. He lived everyday with a purpose. It was his ability to love. He loved his family so much. He loved his friends so much. And he loved me so much. He had so much love to give and he made sure the people he cared about received that love.”
In addition to his pursuit of political success, Adams sought to be a successful human being. He was a mentor in the Young Men’s Leadership program as well as a volunteer at Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He strove to donate his time and talents in order to better the lives of others.
“He didn’t volunteer for the recognition,” Gottstine said. “He did it because he enjoyed it. He loved kids. He loved my little sister, to his little sister, to his little cousins. If there was a little kid in the room he had to talk to them and spend time with them. He loved working with underprivileged kids. He wanted to mean something to someone. He wanted to make a difference.”
In his time at UA, Adams was an active member in the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. According to his obituary, Adams had formed bonds of friendship there that would have lasted throughout his life.
“Marshall was a loved member by everyone in DKE,” said Jake Gray, a fellow member of the DKE fraternity. “You couldn’t find a friendlier person than him, and someone you could always get into a casual debate with regarding state or politics. He had very high goals in life and his death is a true tragedy mourned by all.”
Family friend Grier McLaurin knew Adams since birth. She explained how their mothers had been best friends and how he had been at the hospital the day she was born.
“He was like my brother,” McLaurin said. “He took me to school everyday ’cause we lived just across the street from each other. He always looked out for me and took care of me.
“He is up there with his two best friends and his grandparents. He would want everyone to be happy. He would want people to come together and celebrate instead of mourn.”
A memorial service for Adams was held on Sept. 5, and his family requested that, in the place of flowers, donations be made to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of West Alabama, 2720 6th Street, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35403 or the Young Men’s Leadership program in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
