Huntsville-born sculptor David Adickes, renowned for the 67-foot statue of Sam Houston, dies at 98
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Huntsville is mourning the loss of renowned sculptor and hometown native David Pryor Adickes, best known for creating “A Tribute to Courage,” the towering 67-foot statue of Sam Houston that has become an iconic symbol of the city. Adickes died July 13, 2025, at the age of 98. He had suffered a stroke in late 2024 and experienced declining health in the months that followed.
Born in Huntsville in 1927, Adickes graduated from what is now Sam Houston State University with degrees in math and physics. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he pursued his passion for art, studying at the Kansas City Art Institute and later in Paris under legendary modernist Fernand Léger. His early career focused on painting, but he later became widely known for his monumental sculptures that combined classical themes with massive scale.
Adickes’ most famous work, “A Tribute to Courage,” was completed in 1994. The massive statue of Sam Houston stands along Interstate 45 just south of Huntsville, reaching a height of 67 feet, with an additional 10-foot granite base. The statue quickly became one of the most photographed roadside attractions in Texas and is visible from over six miles away. It honors General Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas and namesake of the city and university. For many residents and travelers, it serves as a proud landmark and entry point to Huntsville.
In interviews over the years, Adickes said the inspiration for the statue came during a visit to Mount Rushmore, where he felt Texas lacked a comparable monument to its own historical figures. He funded much of the project himself, working with crews to mold and assemble the steel and concrete sculpture near the entrance to Huntsville.
His connection to the city remained strong throughout his life. He transformed his former high school into the Adickes Art Foundation Museum and frequently visited Huntsville for art installations, community events, and interviews. The museum featured not only his large-scale works but also his original paintings and lesser-known abstract pieces.
Adickes’ other notable works include “Virtuoso,” a 36-foot tall abstract sculpture of a cello player located in Houston’s Theater District, and four statues of The Beatles, each 36 feet tall, originally displayed outside his Houston studio. He also created 43 large-scale busts of U.S. presidents that were previously exhibited at Presidential Park in Virginia and later moved to storage in Texas. His bust of Stephen F. Austin and other Texas figures further solidified his legacy as a sculptor of American history and identity.
Although based in Houston later in life, Adickes credited Huntsville for shaping his early years and always considered it home. His works brought national attention not just to himself, but to the communities where his sculptures stood. He was also known for his colorful personality, generosity, and passion for encouraging younger artists.
Adickes is survived by his life partner, Linda Wiley, and his daughter, Mary Adickes Van Pelt. According to family, he died peacefully at a care facility in Houston.
Tributes have poured in from across Texas. In Huntsville, residents are reflecting on his contributions to the cultural and visual identity of the city.
“He gave us something that generations will recognize and remember,” one local resident said. “You can’t drive into Huntsville without thinking of him.”
Plans to honor Adickes' life and work are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Sources:
Houston Chronicle, ABC13 Houston, Sam Houston State University, Austin Galleries, Wikipedia