June 6, 1954 – March 24, 2026

Roger Adams grew up in Tacoma Washington, where his parents, Roger and Dolores Adams owned Adam’ s Tacoma Roller Skating, also known as Tacoma Roller Bowl. At just nine months’ old, Roger learned how to roller skate with his family by his side. Roller skating was one of his many passions as a child, something that would make him feel free. To break the family mold of the skating industry, he fell in love with rock n roll and learned how to play the guitar, his dream. He earned his bachelor’s in psychology and Graduate Degree in Clinical Counseling from Pacific Lutheran University. Afterwards, he bounced around the country, all the while an idea forming in his head for a new type of shoe. Finally, in Dallas Texas, he made that idea into a reality by creating the well-loved and well-known Heelys, aka the shoes with wheels.
After selling the company in 2006, he bought a house in Lake Tahoe, where he’d visit with his family growing up. Here, he met Tara Deming, the love of his life. The two made the house a home with their dog, Lily. He was an avid guitar player, putting on concerts for his loved ones. He would blast music and talk about the technicalities and acoustics in the songs.
Sunbathing, cruising on the Lake and making Tara laugh were the highlight of his days. Since October, Roger has been battling cancer and on Tuesday, March 24th, he passed away in his home with his wife and dog. Roger was very loved, and he will be missed and honored by many.