Elmer Newton Adams' Obituary
Elmer Adams, a “go-getter” and servant leader, left this world to be with his Lord and Savior last
Thursday, July 28th, after succumbing to cancer. He was born 93 years ago in Erie, PA, in 1929,
to Elmer N. Adams, Sr. and Dorothy Cochran Adams. He grew up in the Harbor Creek area with
his three siblings Genevieve, Phyllis, and Donald. Genevieve Adams Albertson and Phyllis Adams
McLeod preceded him in death, while surviving brother Donald Adams and wife Joanie currently
reside in Erie. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hattie “Jean” Ferguson Adams, his children
Barry Carmichael Adams and Judy Adams Woodward, his son-in-law Stan Woodward, as well as
his grandchildren Grace Eugenia Woodward and Stephanie Frances Woodward, all in the Dallas
area.
Elmer had a brilliant mind. He was valedictorian of Harbor Creek High School, was on the debate
team and played clarinet in band. He attended Gannon College on scholarship to study
mathematics. He was a youth leader in First Presbyterian Church of Erie, a member of DeMolay and S.A.R.
He held a wide-ranging bank of knowledge and never stopped learning. Many referred to him as
the man who “knows everything about everything.” While a teenager, he helped his father, a
mechanical engineer at General Electric, renovate and modernize his home during the
depression. Elmer worked at the GE plant as a young man on the refrigerator line, and in the
chemistry lab. In 1954 he started with American Sterilizer Company (AMSCO), based in Erie,
where he would spend the next 32 years. He began as a service technician, with a territory in
Dallas, TX. His office was located in Snider Plaza and he attended First Presbyterian Church. He
was transferred to Houston, where he joined First Presbyterian and was ordained as an elder at
age 27. During that period, friend Bob Dixon set him up on a blind date with Jean Ferguson in
Jackson, MS, which brought a sweet magnolia into his life, giving him beauty, art and love for
the rest of his days. Married in 1956, they had their children in Jackson, MS, and began their
adventure, advancing with his company and moving to new cities like Honolulu, San Francisco,
Atlanta, Erie, Winston-Salem, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and Dallas. He advanced into the sales
program, was awarded promotions, and eventually became Vice President of the Central
Division in Dallas. In each city, he would sing bass in the choir, often serve on session, and teach
Sunday school. In 2009, the Church Music Institute gave him a tribute for Service of Heart &
Voice for 65 years of singing in 15 consecutive church choirs. He was active in networking and
service organizations, such as the Lion’s Club in Jackson, MS, and was past president of Dallas
Founders Lion’s Club. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce while living in Raymond, MS.
In Dallas, he was a regular at the men’s breakfast group at his church.
Elmer was an avid board game player, shot high-level pool, and enjoyed cards. He played
softball and golf. He taught his children sports and the enjoyment of games. He liked
woodworking, building models, and working on cars. He built his own Heathkit stereo amplifier.
He could fix almost anything mechanical, and enjoyed repairing things for others. His desire to
explore and travel continued after his AMSCO retirement, which took him to far corners of the
world. Amazingly, he continued to work in sales with other companies up until the age of 89
years old, and drove his car until two months before his death. One of his favorite sayings was
“whatsoever you do, do with all your might” based on the scriptures Ecclesiastes 9:10 and
Colossians 3:23. This is how he lived his life, each day to glory of God. He also is survived by
nephew Geoff Albertson of San Francisco, CA, niece Janet Albertson Schlabach and husband
David Schlabach of Erie, PA; niece Barbara Adams Pierce and husband Wayne Pierce of Hartford,
CT; and niece Lisa Adams Gordon and husband Scott Gordon of Erie, PA. Other surviving great
nieces and nephews are Joel Schlabach, wife Betsy and twins Anders and Ingrid ; Paul Schlabach; Elizabeth Pierce
Passeri, husband Greg and son Andrew; Veronica Pierce Gjino, husband Ned and daughter
Estelle; Andrew Gordon; and Jacob Gordon. He will be missed by his wife’s family who knew
him well from his time in Raymond, Mississippi, including Jean’s sister-in-law Martha Gillespie
Ferguson; niece Beth Ferguson and her children Rivers, Elizabeth and George B; nephew George
Ferguson and his children Robert and wife Natalie, Alec, and Jack; and nephew Cade Ferguson
and wife Regenia , and son Grayson . In lieu of flowers, please donate online to the Church Music
Institute or by mail to 8100 Lomo Alto Drive Suite 260 Dallas, TX 75225.
What’s your fondest memory of Elmer?
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Describe a day with Elmer you’ll never forget.
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