Milton Wayne Adams

The son of Ola W. Adams and Ida E. Adams, Milton was born on August 18, 1924, in Kansas City, KS. He then lived in several places in Western and Central Missouri throughout his youth as his father pastored congregations of the Methodist Church in the Missouri West Conference.

Milton was a World War II veteran and was in the Battle of the Bulge. Though he was initially trained in a tank battalion, he went overseas as part of the United States Army 106th Infantry. Then he was in actions in Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes, and Northern France.

After coming home from the war, his father encouraged him to attend a Law School Open House. He was immediately very interested and signed up for Law School that day. He attended the University of Kansas City Law School and graduated on May 29, 1949, with his Bachelor of Laws. He then practiced in Kansas City with the firms of Aughenbaugh and Adams; Gordon, Adams, Niewald, Risjord and Waldeck; Gordon, Adams and Gordon; and The Law office of Milton W. Adams from approximately 1950 to 1990.

At Central United Methodist Church, he met Mary Elizabeth Sneary, the soprano soloist and Children’s Choir Director. They married on October 19, 1951. They remained extremely involved in the life of the church the rest of their days. They were blessed with four children - Beth, Bob, Becky and Brad; then added grandchildren and great-grandchildren to their growing family.

Milton remained a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church. He was active on committees, as a trustee, and in the Mather Class. He and Mary Elizabeth enjoyed writing and performing regular Family Night skits with a group of fellow church friends. He was always ready and willing to help Mary Elizabeth host the children and youth choirs for picnics and socials.

Milton was very instrumental in starting and sustaining Kingswood Senior Retirement Community. He enjoyed living there his last 20 years and getting to experience the results of all his efforts as they benefited so many other people.

Milton was blessed to have several special women in his life. Several years after Mary Elizabeth passed in 1998 after a battle with cancer, he married Rosemary Peterson in 2000. Then a few more years after Rosemary passed in 2019, he enjoyed a special relationship with Marion Cathcart, a new resident at Kingswood where he lived.

Milton enjoyed several partnerships and business ventures throughout his years. His mind was always sharp and interested in finding ways to improve situations around him.

Milton was a devoted Missouri Tiger fan both of football and basketball. He was always committed once spring came to the Kansas City Royals no matter their record.

As a faithful father and grandfather, Milton always attended recitals, concerts, and sporting events, showing his support for spouse’s, children’s and grandchildren’s activities.

And he was always one to enjoy a good friendly joke and teasing.

Milton especially loved summer family vacations in Colorado and his world-wide travel adventures with Mary Elizabeth, then with Rosemary.

One of his greatest joys was golf. He learned the game at age 12, when he worked as a caddie. For most of his life, he continued in his love of the game, shooting his age 3 times in his 70’s.

In his senior years, he enjoyed splitting his time between his home in Kansas City and one in Arizona, where he welcomed family and friends and kept up his golf skills.

So we are starting our New Year without our Patriarch. But he lived 98 1/2 years, full of life experiences, sharing his love and wisdom, and never losing his quick wit. We are both deeply grieved and deeply grateful.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Kingswood Wesley Fund c/o Kingswood Senior Retirement Community, 10000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.

Visitation will be Friday, January 13th, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Mt. Moriah - 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO.

The Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday, January 14th at 2:00 pm at Central Methodist Church (now Resurrection Brookside at Historic Central) - 5144 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO.