Gerald Arlen Adams

Gerald was born on August 20, 1938 to Harry & Grace Adams in Corning, Iowa. After his father passed away, his mother and brother along with Gerald, moved back to southern Missouri. He grew up in Jerico Springs, MO and graduated from Stockton High School. Following high school, Gerald received a full scholarship from FFA to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri as an agricultural student. He always had a guitar in his car, home, parents house, and his own. Gerald had many years playing as the lead singer and guitarist with several different bands. He played in clubs all around the Kansas City area, Excelsior Springs area as well as in St. Louis. It was nothing for him to join bands on stage while hanging out in the clubs. He and his wife loved to dance and were great dance partners.

Gerald worked at American Can Company along his brother Harry, his future wife Lila also worked there as they met working with mutual friends and family. He left the can company to start his 35-year career with Consolidated Freightways in Kansas City, Missouri as a shop mechanic and then transferred to St. Louis in 1970 to become the Shop Manager. Later to become a regional Shop Manager for several years until he retired. He also was a Lead Negotiator for Teamsters union here in Kansas City, Missouri for many years. He negotiated many teamster union contracts over his years as a union representative and company side for trucking industry.

Gerald was a member of several organizations. He was a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, while his wife Lila and daughter Glynnis were scouts until his death. Gerald started his Masonic journey while living in Olathe, Kansas before transferring to St. Louis with his career. He became a Moolah Shiner of St. Louis, Missouri alongside his brother Harry here in Kansas City, Missouri as an Ararat Shriner.

His parents precede him in death: Harry Adams, Grace & John Higgins; his brother, Harry Adams; his beloved wife of 53 years, Lila Adams; his stepsons, Edward Goza Sr. & William Whitworth; his daughter, Belinda Kay Halberstadt.

Survivors include daughter, Glynnis Nava (Mark) Blue Springs, Missouri; sons, John Adams (Cathy) of Blue Springs, Missouri, Roy Adams (Tracy) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and David Adams (Kelly) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; stepdaughter, Christine Keehler (Jeff) of Oak Grove, Missouri. Also surviving are many grandchildren, great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A visitation for Gerald will be held Monday, April 29, 2024 at Newcomer's Noland Road Chapel, 509 S. Noland Rd., Independence, Missouri 64050 an 12pm followed by a masonic service and funeral service starting at 1pm. A committal service will follow at Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery, 806 SE 3rd St., Lee's Summit, MO 64063.