Gary Allen Adams

Gary Allen Adams, 61, of Des Moines, Iowa peacefully passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family’s compassionate love following a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. A celebration of life will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Saturday, November 23, 2024, at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a time for sharing beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Gary was born in Jackson, Michigan on October 7, 1963, the son of Ronald and Gail Adams. His formative years were spent near Laguna Niguel, California, enjoying the beaches, body surfing in the ocean, and creating memories with lifelong friends.

While living in upstate New York for several years, he became a faithful Buffalo Bills fan and remained so even after moving to Iowa, a state in which he really loved living and raising his beautiful daughters. He reveled in their sporting and dancing accomplishments and was immensely proud of their achievements. However, he was most proud of the wonderful and successful adults they became. His dad jokes often prompted eye-rolling, but his loving parenting was never doubted. His fathering skills spread to his stepchildren and nephews as well, and they all valued his sound advice given with loving humor.

For 27 years, Gary worked for Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation in various roles, spending the bulk of his years there as School Liaison. He enjoyed visiting and developing strong relationships with financial aid officers at colleges and universities in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. He was devoted to serving the Iowa Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in multiple capacities, resulting in its Meritorious Service Award being renamed in his honor.

Gary enjoyed spending time with the blended family he shared with his wife, Shelly, whom he married January 1, 2022. Music and dancing and laughing were always present during their seven years together. He enjoyed maintaining and spending time in their home and large yard, adding and building enhancements that he and Shelly planned together.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Ron and Gail Adams, his older brother, Dennis Adams, and his son Justin Adams in 2021. Gary was deeply affected by Justin’s passing, which increased his advocacy for mental health awareness and treatment.

Gary was a devoted and loving Pop-Pop to Justin’s two children, Jewelisa and Julian Adams. Memories of Gary will be deeply cherished by his two daughters, Sarah Adams, and Gretchen (Jami) Adams, as well as Shelly’s children, Callie (Liz) Macauley, and Andrew (Eva) Brimeyer. His absence in Shelly’s and their lives will be felt throughout their lifetimes.

Gary is also survived by his older brother, Steve Adams and nephews, Noah and Nicholas Adams. Numerous in-laws, colleagues and friends will miss his kind and generous spirit, infectious laugh, and genuine and loving heart.

Gary’s family thanks Dr. Angela Sandre and her team at Mission Cancer and Blood, the nursing staff on 8 South at MercyOne Medical Center, and the EveryStep Hospice staff for the exceptional care they gave Gary while he was their patient.