John William Adee Sr.

John William Adee, Sr., age 92, of Tyler, passed away in the late morning hours of Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. John was born on October 23, 1920 in Henderson, Texas to Robert and Rosa Cox Adee; they preceded him in death. John’s parents moved him from Texas to Oklahoma by covered wagon in 1922. He married the love of his life and his best friend on June 15, 1940 in Elk City, Oklahoma and together they spent the next 72 years raising a family and living a lifetime of memories. She preceded John in death on March 5, 2012.

John served as 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force from 1942-1945. During WWII he flew 30 missions over Europe as bombardier on a B-24 Liberator. Although his plane was damaged by fighter fire and flak several times, resulting in one crash landing, John survived the war with only minor injuries. After completing his 30 missions, John was transferred to Ireland where he was a navigation and radar instructor.

After returning stateside and discharging from the Air Force, John attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1949. Upon college graduation, John accepted a job with the Baroid Division of the National Lead Company as an Oil Field Drilling Fluids Engineer. While with National Lead Company, John worked on drilling operations throughout Texas and New Mexico and acquired the knowledge and contacts to eventually form his own drilling engineering firm in Lovington, New Mexico.

In 1965, John sold his oil field business and accepted a position with the United States Patent Office as a Patent Examiner. Following a successful career as a patent examiner and instructor, John retired from the Patent Office and moved back to East Texas in 1988. John remained active with many hobbies and activities and continued his love for his work as a part time Patent Agent helping many people in East Texas obtain patents.

In his free time, John enjoyed saltwater and freshwater fishing and investing and trading in the stock market. He wrote and published newsletters on the stock market. John also enjoyed growing roses and gardening, his scientific studies and staying abreast of changing technology. He took several courses and maintained his Bible and religious studies throughout his life. He attended Lake Tyler Baptist Church.

John is survived by one son, John W. Adee Jr., and wife Sue, of Tyler; one daughter, Vonda Mecham, and husband Gary, of Tyler; grandchildren, Greg Beasley and wife Tammy, Rick Adee and wife Andrea, Sonya Croci and husband Vic, Shelly Bledsoe, Gary Jay Mecham, Jr., and John Mecham and wife Gail; great-grandchildren, Sonja Mellynchuk, Chris Adee, Jonathan Adee and wife Whitney, Mercedes Mecham, Vince Croci and wife Kelly, Alicia Croci, Colton Bledsoe, Cason Bledsoe, Morgan Mecham, Olivia Mecham, Evelyn Mecham and Liam Mecham; great-great grandchildren, Kyle Adee, and Easton Adee; by two nieces LaVerne Smith and Elain Raboin.

Services for John Adee will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, July 1, 2013 at Lloyd James Funeral Home with Rev. Sherman Mayfield and Rev. Rick Adee officiating. Burial will follow at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery with Greg Beasley, John Mecham, Gary Mecham, Jr., Chris Adee, Jonathan Adee, and Vic Croci serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Cason Bledsoe, Colton Bledsoe, Vince Croci, and Jerry Mullins. Visitation will be held from 3-5 P.M., Sunday afternoon, at Lloyd James Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas or Lake Tyler Baptist Church.