Carroll W. Adams

Carroll passed away on April 11, 2013 after suffering a massive stroke. He was born in Los Angeles but moved to Santa Monica with his family at age 5. He went through Santa Monica schools and graduated from Santa Monica High in 1949. He was a star basketball player at Samohi, garnishing all-CIF honors in basketball as a senior. After a short stint at UCLA he enlisted in the US Coast Guard for three years where he played basketball and baseball on various base teams. Upon discharge he reenrolled in 1953 at UCLA as a PE major and played basketball for John Wooden. He excelled at 3-point range shooting (but only counted 2 points then). He also was a pitcher/catcher on the baseball team for UCLA. His big claim-to-fame was a pinch-hit grand slam homerun to beat USC one year. After graduation at UCLA he obtained his MA in school administration at USC (spreading his talents around). Carroll coached basketball and then was vice-principal at Leuzinger and later Hawthorne High Schools for many years. On the side he was a bit actor or technical advisor on several films, including "Hallelujah Trail", "Tall Story" with Anthony Perkins, "Ice Station Zebra", and others. He was a very generous donor to the UCLA Wooden Athletic Fund having endowed a UCLA scholarship to the basketball program. In the past few years he has had progressive Parkinson Disease which has limited his function. Carroll is survived by his loving companion, Barbara "BJ" Sharpe, his brother, Dr. Donald Adams, his former wife, Jocille Bundy and grandson Craig Adams. "Celebration of his life" services and reception will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 12-3 pm, at Palos Verdes Golf Club, 3301 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, phone (310) 375-2533. In lieu of flowers please send contributions in Carroll's memory to The UCLA Wooden Athletic Fund, PO Box 24044, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275