Howard Eugene Adams

Howard Eugene Adams, 92, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 22, 2014. He was born Oct. 9, 1922 and was the son of William Arthur and Calista Myrle Adams. He was born in Missouri, but was raised in Iowa. He is survived by his wife of 62 years- Genie Adams, a daughter Ramona Adams and her family, son Paul Adams and wife Sheri and their family, as well as his son James’ wife Debbie Adams and their family. Preceded in death by sons John Adams and James Adams. Also mourning his loss are 7 grandchildren: Shawn McFerrin, Johnny Adams, Amy King, Andrew Adams, Ben Adams, Will Adams, and Ellie Adams. He also had 3 great grandchildren: Brittney Hubbard, Breton John Hubbard, and Jax Adams. Howard was 1 of 12 children. He is survived by his sister Marilyn Greif and brothers Warren Adams and Vernon Adams. Howard grew up in a farming family and community. He took pride in raising hogs and won a Blue Ribbon at the Iowa State Fair. As a young man, he enjoyed running and riding his bicycle. He was the star runner for his track team at Simpson College. After coming back home from the service, Howard made a couple of long distance bicycle trips- One from Iowa to Georgia and the other from Iowa to Wisconsin, where he worked in a cherry canning factory for the summer. Howard was a veteran of WWll and served with the 42nd Field Hospital in Europe as a Chaplain’s Assistant. He was in the Normandy invasion and his hospital unit accompanied the front line of the Armed forces as they fought through northern France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany. He received a Silver Battle Star for his participation in The Battle of the Bulge. Howard earned a BA from Simpson College in Iowa and Bachelor of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology (SMU) in Dallas. At SMU, he met the love of his life-Genie- and they married on Aug. 30, 1952. Howard served 14 years in the Methodist ministry in Iowa and Texas. He then worked for the Texas Dept. of Human Resources. He thoroughly enjoyed working as a Daycare Licensing Representative, and retired after 27 years with the Dept. One of his favorite past times was gardening-he especially liked growing Iris. He grew vegetables, which Genie canned and later on froze for their family. Howard was always a good neighbor, and ready to help at a moment’s notice. He is remembered as good-natured and “he never met a stranger”. Howard was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.