Richard Adams Sr. dies in fatal Gladstone explosion
Fatal Gladstone explosion death of Richard Adams Sr. – Obituary
Richard Adams Sr., aged 86, tragically lost his life in a powerful house explosion that occurred on Saturday, May 31, in the city of Gladstone, Missouri. His family confirmed his identity in the aftermath of the blast, which completely destroyed his home on NE 74th Terrace.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. Initial statements from Spire, a local energy provider, suggest that the explosion does not appear to be related to natural gas. Additionally, records from Missouri 811 show no recent excavation requests in the area near the explosion site.
Friends, neighbors, and loved ones are devastated by the loss. Carlos Garcia, a neighbor and friend of Adams for 15 years, shared memories of the kindness Adams showed when Garcia first moved to the neighborhood. Garcia described Adams as a truly great man, and someone who will be sorely missed.
In the aftermath of the explosion, Garcia found several personal belongings from Adams’ home scattered in his yard, including a car fob, a graduation certificate, and a wallet photo. He plans to return them to the family as cherished keepsakes.
Though Adams’ home was reduced to rubble, those close to him are holding tightly to the memories and fragments that remain. Cleanup efforts for neighboring homes are expected to begin once the fire marshal concludes the investigation.
Garcia called for prayers and support for the Adams family, saying, “They lost a father, a grandfather, a friend. He was my friend — and he still is.”
