John C. Adams

John Charles Adams Jr. passed away on May 13 , 2020. John suffered a heart attack at his residence in Sandy, Oregon which he shared with his partner Enid Simpson. Enid has been a member of our family for the last several years and we love her dearly, not only for her loving care of John, but also for her friendship and kindness to us all.

John was born on June 1, 1932, in Burlington New Jersey his father John Adams and mother Sophie Doer. He was the youngest of four children, himself and three sisters, Dorothy Cox, Mary Vogler, and Katherine Adams. John spent his youth in New Jersey. He was curious child who collected many things. His love for collecting followed him into adulthood, with collections of coins, stamps, art, postcards, antique tins, and rocks, minerals and fossils and more. After high school, John joined the US Navy and served at both the Great Lakes and New Orleans Naval stations. After his service he received a Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri School of Mines.

While working at RCA in Camden New Jersey, John met and soon married Elizabeth (Betty) Hill. He and his mother welcomed both Betty and her young children Debbie and George to their home in Burlington NJ. Soon the family grew adding three children, Katherine, Bobby, and Carol and they moved to Hainesport NJ. John eventually took a position with the US Government, as a communications site manager for GSA (General Services Administration) in Sabetha, Kansas. John continued his service with the government, moving to Austin TX and finally to Enumclaw, WA where he was promoted to Director of Telecommunications for the NW United States. Following a dream, John changed his vocation and became a Stock Broker for Merrill Lynch in Federal Way, WA. He continued his career as a successful Stock Broker until he retired.

John was lucky in love. His marriage to his wife Betty lasted until her sudden tragic death in 1987. They had a long and loving marriage raising five children. They both loved the outdoors and the family spent many vacations camping on the road with activities including, following the Lewis and Clark trail, visiting the Dakota Bad Lands, Great Lakes, National parks, prehistoric dinosaur digs, Native American sites, and museums among other places, and almost any State that had particularly good rock hounding. John documented all these vacations in photos and literature, leaving a legacy of his life for his children and grandchildren.

After Betty's death, John remarried Nettie Vader and they lived in Waldport Oregon. She passed in June 2001. He continued to live in Waldport Oregon, where he met his companion Judy Johnson. Judy and John had a long and loving relationship. They shared many adventures including world travel. To the sorrow and grief of John and his family, Judy passed in 2014 in Salem Oregon. While visiting Arizona he met his new love and companion Enid, and they made a life for themselves, spending winter months in Surprise Arizona and summers in Sandy Oregon.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his three sisters, Katherine, Mary and Dorothy. He is remembered and loved by his surviving niece Dorothy Cox Summerville, nephew Arthur Cox. Children: Debbie Shargas. George Shargas, Kathy Adams, Bob Adams, and Carol Adams. Grand Children: Jennifer Shargas, Nick Shargas, Sarah Stottlemire, Whitney Foster, Dakota Adams, Karson Drew, Ethan Adams, Josephine Stenn and Isis Stenn. Great Grand Children: Anthony Shargas, Tyrah Carlile, Nora Foster and Tessa Stottlemire.

John's wife and mother of his children, Elizabeth Jane Adams (Betty Adams) ashes, were spread on Mt. Rainier and per John's wishes, his will be spread there too, joining hers, 33 years later. The family will have a private memorial in Oregon.