John Adams

John Melvin Adams, 91, of Leavenworth, Kan., passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at the Twin Oaks Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Facility.

He was born April 18, 1922, in Jackson, the son of Archie and Elsie Moore Adams.

He graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1941 and moved to San Diego. After working a few jobs in California, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 where he served as an Aviation Supply Specialist assigned to the USS Steamer Bay. He saw action in Palau, the liberation of the Philippines, Leyte Gulf, the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa battles in the Pacific Theater. He continued his service in the Navy Reserve in the personnel field, retiring in 1978 as a chief petty officer.

John Adams worked for the United States Army as a Department of the Army civilian in the aviation and logistics field. He served in the St. Louis area with assignments in Michigan, Italy and Saudi Arabia. In October 2012, John culminated his United States Navy experience by participating in the World War II Honor Tour in Washington, D.C. John, with his brother Donald Adams who served in the United States Merchant Marines Atlantic Theater, participated in the Honor Tour sponsored by the Poplar Bluff American Legion Post and hosted by Rob and Deb Callahan. He talked about this trip for months and enjoyed sharing his photo book with family and friends.

John was a man of deep Christian faith and enjoyed Cardinals baseball, eating good food, drinking a cold beer, listening to country music, watching "Judge Joe Brown," playing cards, going to antique car shows, Duke basketball and spending time with family.

He is survived by two daughters, Christine (Mike) Shanahan of Cross Plains, Wis., and Tamara (Michael) Sevcik of Leavenworth; a son, Brian (Ruth) Adams of O'Fallon, Mo.; his grandchildren, Michael Lynn Jr., Robynn (Mike) Fosen, Joyce (Shannon) Adams, Lindsay (Brian) Rule, Eli (Terry) Logan, John (Shannon) Shanahan, David Shanahan, Jacob (Kristin) Adams, Travis (Sarah) Adams, Matthew (Katherine) Sevcik and Molly Jo Sevcik; his great-grandchildren, Erik Fosen, Scott Fosen, Beckett Adams, Kaplan Adams, McKenna Adams, Nova Rule, Kaitlyn Rule, Finley Logan, Ryland Logan, Lucy Mae Shanahan, Jackson Adams and Chloe Adams; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews; and his dear friend, Bill Risso of Massachusetts.

John was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Woodrow, Harold and Rusby; his oldest son, Michael Lynn Adams Sr.; a grandson, Justin Lee Adams; and many friends.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home in Leavenworth.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery. The services will be officiated by the Rev. Vernon Welkner of High Prairie Church.

Donations in memory of John may be made to High Prairie Church, Leavenworth, Kan., or the Lansing Kansas American Legion Post 411.