John Emery Adams, Jr., in December, 1938. He was 26 years old.
(Note: All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them once or twice.)
My Dad, John Emery Adams, Jr., passed away on December 5, 2013. He was 101 years old.
It’s hard to know how to summarize a life, especially a life that encompassed so much. Dad was born in Texas, grew up in Arkansas, lived in Indiana for many years before moving to Tennessee. He remembered going to church with his family in a horse-drawn wagon, as well as the first house his family lived in which had electricity.
Dad met Mom when he was in the CCC in southern Indiana. The picture above was one he had made for Mom as a Christmas present in 1938. However, they had to wait until 1940 to get married, since Mom’s parents said she couldn’t get married until she was 20 years old. They got married three days after her birthday. There wedding was simple — they asked the congregation of Mom’s church to stay after Sunday service and attend the wedding. They left right afterwards for their new home in northern Indiana, and shared a carton of milk as their first meal as husband and wife.
Mom and Dad on their 61st wedding anniversary, Hendersonville, Tennessee. May 5, 2001.
One of the most remarkable things about Mom and Dad is that you rarely saw one without the other. This picture was taken on their 61st wedding anniversary in 2001. Mom is wearing her wedding dress.
Dad at my uncle’s home in Crown Point, Indiana.
I remember that Dad had a love of gadgets and was always trying to figure out (usually successfully) how things worked. This picture, taken about 1960, shows him with his new movie camera. He got a computer at the age of 90 and exchanged daily emails with us until he lost his sight and had to give it up.
I always thought Dad could do anything. He built most of the house in which I grew up, as well as the farm buildings we had. If something broke, he usually managed to fix it. He taught himself to repair small appliances so he would have something to do after he retired. He repaired appliances until Mom made him quit when he was 80 years old. We still meet people in Hendersonville, Tennessee, who talk about what a wonderful job he did as a repair man.
Dad and his riding lawn mower. Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Although Dad was still climbing up on the roof of his home to clean the gutters well into his 90s, he did decide that pushing a lawn mower over their large yard was a bit much, so he got a riding mower.
Front row: Betsy, Dad, Bonnie (my brother’s wife). Back row: Me, my sister Janet, and brother Ken.
Mom died in 2011, so she wasn’t there to celebrate Dad’s 100th birthday in 2012. We had a party for him at his church in Hendersonville, and many family and friends came to help him celebrate. This picture of Dad was taken at that party.
We had a celebration of Dad’s life yesterday (Monday). I’m going to miss him.
Tags: American Life, Dad, Family
Senior Moments 
December 10, 2013 at 3:47 am |
Beautiful tribute, George. I remember seeing several of the photos when you have spoken of him in past posts. I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and the family.
December 10, 2013 at 7:55 am |
this is a perfect tribute to your dad, i enjoyed seeing all the photos.
December 10, 2013 at 9:03 am |
Yes, you are going to miss him, and you always will. Your Dad was a fine looking man and you favor him so much! Cherish your precious memories of him and your mother!
December 10, 2013 at 9:04 am |
Sorry for your loss George and thanks for sharing a little about his life. it’s hard to believe how much the world has changed during his lifetime.
December 10, 2013 at 9:43 am |
Your dad sounds like a great man. As I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of all the changes he saw in his lifetime. From your dscription, he fit right in with the technological changes.
December 10, 2013 at 10:31 am |
A wonderful tribute for an amazing man, George! And what an incredible life he had! He did indeed see so many incredible changes in his/our world! I can only imagine how much you will miss him!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us and what an inspiring way to begin my day! I know he will be missed!!
December 10, 2013 at 10:56 am |
Wonderful tribute to a fine man. I have enjoyed reading about your parents and their remarkable lives. I know that he is with your mom now just as I know you will miss both of them.
December 10, 2013 at 12:52 pm |
I’m so sorry for your loss, but you have some wonderful memories of your Mom and Dad.
December 10, 2013 at 1:09 pm |
wonderfully written tribute. he lived a full life, he was lucky and so were you for having him for so long.
dec.4 was my dad’s death anniversary and this year marked his 31st; i’m still sad that he left too soon and did not see me become an adult.
December 10, 2013 at 3:03 pm |
I have not had the privilege of meeting your Dad,but somehow I feel like I knew him. He was indeed a very special person.He has left a legacy of love and memories for you to cherish.
December 10, 2013 at 4:23 pm |
{hug}
Such a sweet post.
Blessings for you all.
December 10, 2013 at 4:45 pm |
So sorry for your loss! You have written a wonderful tribute.
December 10, 2013 at 4:59 pm |
Your dad COULD do anything! Amazing, too, that he learned a computer at 90, I know people in their 50’s and 60’s who can’t learn it. And your mom must have loved that he could fix anything in the house. His is a story that is truly amazing, and it teaches us all some lessons and makes us the better for reading it. A wonderful tribute, George. i know you will miss him badly, but now is is back with his love.
December 10, 2013 at 5:58 pm |
I’m so sorry for your loss, George. I know you wouldn’t wish your dad back; but I also know you’ll miss him. This is a lovely tribute.
December 10, 2013 at 10:29 pm |
Oh George what a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I feel I know him somewhat through your blog and Betsy’s also. A sad loss but I bet he is happy to be with your Mom once more.
There is peace through loss.
Take care, MB
December 11, 2013 at 2:36 am |
George, You can see through your beautifully written tribute to your Dad that you will miss this wonderful father immensely but cherish all those fond memories. Thank you for sharing some milestones in his life. He was a handsome young man and met all the challenges in his life with an open mind. Wow learning the computer to send emails at 90 amazing .
December 11, 2013 at 4:42 am |
George, this is a lovely tribute to your Dad. The photo of your Mom and Dad on their 61st anniversary is so sweet.
Thanks for sharing your family moments through the years.
December 11, 2013 at 5:59 am |
Sorry to hear of your loss. You have a lovely tribute to this amazing man.
December 11, 2013 at 4:37 pm |
I’m so sorry about your loss, George! I enjoyed your tribute to your wonderful Dad—he is very handsome, by the way.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
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December 11, 2013 at 6:53 pm |
I am so sorry for your loss George. This tribute to your Dad was very special and one I enjoyed reading. He was an amazing person and this is a lovely tribute to him.
December 11, 2013 at 8:20 pm |
George, this was a wonderful read….your dad just sounds like a wonderful person. I was so sorry to hear of your loss.
December 11, 2013 at 8:57 pm |
Your father is perhaps the most inspiring people I have the pleasure of ‘knowing’. I love his story and I love the life he lived. Also….he raised a wonderful son!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
XOXO
December 12, 2013 at 9:40 am |
Your Dad is a wonderful person. I can not even think of working at the age of 90. Great man.
December 12, 2013 at 12:06 pm |
I’m so sorry for your loss – what lovely photos of him.
December 12, 2013 at 12:45 pm |
A beautiful tribute George!
December 12, 2013 at 2:06 pm |
What a life to celebrate! Beautiful tribute to your dad, George.
December 13, 2013 at 1:31 am |
I am also sorry for Your loss. Your tribute to your dad is so beautiful. These moments stop man to think life.
All the best George.
December 14, 2013 at 12:48 pm |
I’m so sorry for your loss, George. This is such a beautiful tribute to your dad. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
March 28, 2014 at 8:16 am |
this is a very interesting and perfect tribute to your dad. not many make 101 years on this old earth.