John Bartlett Adams

John Adams, 91, of Loveland, passed away on June 18, 2019. John was born in 1927 to a family of educators. As a child he lived in rural Missouri and Illinois, graduating from Batavia (IL) HS. He enjoyed sports and excelled athletically in basketball and was an All-State football player. John enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the occupation of Japan at the end of WWII.

At 20 years of age John was a veteran, returning home and attending North Central College in Naperville, IL on the GI Bill. There he met the love of his life, Ann Katherine Oertli. They married on March 25, 1951. Soon they had two young sons, John and Tom. John and Ann served many school communities in northern Illinois, Ann teaching kindergarten and John serving as an elementary teacher, elementary principal, public school superintendant, university professor, and President of Aurora College in Aurora, IL.

John and Ann first came to Colorado in 1959 as he pursued his doctorate in Greeley at what is now the University of Northern Colorado, graduating in 1965. They loved the mountains, and especially Rocky Mountain National Park, where they camped and hiked and fished and praised nature's beauty with their sons, extended family and friends.

In 1971 John and Ann bought a modest summer cabin in Estes Park with dear friends. Every summer delivered long-anticipated weeks of exploring RMNP's bounty. In 1987 they achieved their dream: retirement to a lovely mountain home in Estes Park. They relished 23 years of full-time residence in their chosen paradise. Ann volunteered in many community organizations. John was President of the Library Board during an era when a bond issue was passed and the new (current) Estes Park Library was built.

They traveled extensively both in the U.S. and abroad, particularly enjoying repeated visits to Hawaii, numerous Caribbean cruises, and several European river cruises.

John and Ann were always very loyal and inspirationally devoted to their extended family and friends. Their sons both followed in their parents' footsteps, selecting the family profession as career educators. The entire family loved nature, couldn't get enough of the outdoors and wildlife and wilderness, and shared this interest with countless family, friends, colleagues and strangers.

In 2010 John and Ann moved to the Good Samaritan Community in Loveland. John's sweetheart, Ann, passed away in March of 2013. The family thanks our Halcyon hospice team and especially Seven Lakes Memory Care for all the love and support generated for Dad over the years.

John is survived by his sons John (Cindy) and Tom (Renee), his sister Jane Libberton and nephews Kevin Libberton and Michael Libberton; sister-in-law Jan Adams and niece Sara Adams and nephew Aaron Adams; and nieces Jane Rueber and Katy Hansen. Private family service at later time.

Donations in John’s honor may be contributed to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.