Dr. John Jack Thomas Adair

John Thomas “Jack” Adair died unexpectedly after a brief illness on Saturday, June 7, 2014. He was 85 years old. Born June 27, 1928 in Spartanburg, SC, the only child of Matthew Lafayette “Fate” and Jessie Drum Adair, Jack graduated from Newton High School in 1945. His undergraduate degree was from Wake Forest College, where he ran cross country.

Dr. Adair married Mary Frances “Kitty” Jarrett in 1950 while finishing dental school at Emory University. They returned to Newton where he practiced dentistry his entire career. Kitty and Jack divorced in 1982 and Kitty died in 2007. Survivors of that union include daughter Mary Phillips and husband John of Asheville, NC, grandchildren Jessie and Erin, great-grandchildren, Mia and Sophie; daughter Nancy McPherson and husband Greg of Davis, CA and grandchildren, Edward, Martin, John, William, and Jeanne-Marie; daughter Ellen Hunsucker and husband John of Denver, NC , grandson Douglas Thornburg and his wife, Susan, and their children, Alex and Katie, as well as step-grandchildren, Laura and Eric Hunsucker; son John and wife, Trish of Moravian Falls, NC and grandchildren, Marika, Ben, and Karstin; son William and wife, Jill, with grandchildren Shelby and Matthew.

Dr. Adair and Elaine Temple Waddell married in 1987 and enjoyed 26 rewarding years together. Elaine preceded him in 2013. They are survived by Dr. Adair’s stepson Michael Waddell of Fayetteville, AR, his wife, Heidi, and step-grandchildren Andrew and Caroline.

Dr. Adair served briefly in the US Navy as an officer and dentist. He enjoyed photography, hiking and travel, especially in Switzerland. He was an avid walker and woodworker and found satisfaction in cultivating his gardens, trails and woods. As a son, husband, father, employer, colleague, friend, dentist and member of Beth Eden Lutheran Church, he has been cherished and will be remembered.

The family thanks Catawba Regional Hospice for the loving support given to Dr. Adair and his family during his final days.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at Beth Eden Lutheran Church in Newton at 3:30 p.m., Friday June 13, 2014, with the Rev. Marcus Ollis officiating. Receiving will be in the church’s reception hall from 1:30pm-3pm. A private committal service will follow at Southside Cemetery in Newton. Memorials may be made to Beth Eden Lutheran Church, 400 N Main Ave, Newton, NC 28658 or Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC 28658.