NATCHEZ — Bryant Adams, the longtime commissioner of the Natchez Dixie Youth coach pitch league, died early Thursday morning, leaving behind a legacy of helping local youth and bettering the league to which he dedicated much of his life.

Michael Anderson, assistant commissioner of the coach pitch league under Adams, said he deeply admired Adams’ dedication to Dixie Youth and will sorely miss hum.

“He was a very happy and cheerful guy and a great person to be around,” Anderson said. “Everything he did out there was for those kids, and that’s what it’s all about. He was just a wonderful guy.”

After coaching in Dixie Youth for a number of years, Adams spent 22 years as commissioner of the coach pitch league, 17 of which Anderson served under him. Though his children had long since gotten too old for Dixie Youth, Anderson said Adams remained heavily involved in the league.

“He was dedicated to the City of Natchez and the youth of Natchez,” Anderson said. “He hasn’t had a kid in the program for probably 12 or 13 years, and he’s been right there every year, going through everything with us to make sure the youth of Natchez have a good baseball facility and learn good sportsmanship and how to play as a team together.”

Clarence Bowlin, who was commissioner of Natchez Dixie Youth for 50 years, said losing Adams was a big blow to the program.

“He was a valuable person to have around,” Bowlin said. “He did whatever I asked him to help with, and he and (Anderson) did a great job with the program. He went about his job like he was supposed to and tried to make things right with everyone. He was a very good director.”

Natchez High School baseball coach Brian Kossum worked as an umpire for the coach pitch league for several years, and he said he enjoyed working for Adams.

“He had a great sense of humor and was always joking around, but he could get mad at you, too,” Kossum recalled.

Kossum also said Adams made a point to honor Kossum for serving in the U.S. Navy for several years.

“You always knew he appreciated you, and there were never any surprises with him,” Kossum said.

In addition to working with Adams in Dixie Youth, Anderson said he also worked with Adams in business for several years.

“He was one of the most awesome people in the world,” Anderson said. “He was my best friend. I worked in business with him for six years, and you couldn’t have asked for a better boss.”

Bowlin said Natchez Dixie Youth won’t quite be the same without him.

“He was a very good man who believed in taking care of the kids, and he will truly be missed,” Bowlin said.

Adams was 51 at the time of his death.