Russell Dale Adams
January 13, 1926 — January 12, 2018
Russell Dale Adams, son of Harry and Beulah (Heilesen) Adams, was born January 13, 1926 on the family farm near Kirkman, Iowa. He was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. He attended school in Kirkman, graduating from Kirkman High School.
Russell went to California and worked in an aircraft plant during WWII, and enlisted into the US Coast Guard. After his discharge, he was introduced to Deloris Van Fleet by his brother Rex. On August 29, 1946, Russell and Deloris were united in marriage in Hiawatha, Kansas. Four children were born to this union: Patricia, Jayne, Teresa and David.
They returned to Russell’s family farm in Kirkman for a year then he decided to attend college at the University of Iowa through the GI Bill. He finished his Bachelor’s Degree in School Administration and Teaching at Drake University. Russell’s first teaching job was 7th and 8th grade government and history in Tennant then taught country school for a year outside of Jacksonville. Russell and Deloris later moved to Portland, Oregon to continue their education, he taught school while Oregon State where he received his Master’s Degree in School Administration. He was then an Elementary Principal in Marshalltown, Iowa and an administrator and counselor at Elk Horn Kimballton Schools. He also began a teaching career at IWCC for 12 years at the Harlan and Atlantic campuses. Russell worked for the University of Missouri as a teacher advisor for a few years throughout Missouri until retirement.
Russell’s hobby included woodworking. He also took on the role on Santa Claus for over 30 years. His passion was reading and he shared his passion by donating thousands of new books to the children of Shelby County.
Russell died on Friday, January 12, 2018 at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, attaining the age of ninety-one years, eleven months and thirty days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughters Patricia Booth and Teresa Adams, siblings Virginia Hopkins, Roland Adams, Forrest Adams and Rex Adams.
He is survived by his wife of seventy-one year Deloris Adams of Harlan, Iowa; daughter Jayne and her husband Gary Baugh of Johnston, Colorado; son David Adams and his wife Peggy of San Antonio, Texas; 5 grandchildren; 6 great children; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
Russell went to California and worked in an aircraft plant during WWII, and enlisted into the US Coast Guard. After his discharge, he was introduced to Deloris Van Fleet by his brother Rex. On August 29, 1946, Russell and Deloris were united in marriage in Hiawatha, Kansas. Four children were born to this union: Patricia, Jayne, Teresa and David.
They returned to Russell’s family farm in Kirkman for a year then he decided to attend college at the University of Iowa through the GI Bill. He finished his Bachelor’s Degree in School Administration and Teaching at Drake University. Russell’s first teaching job was 7th and 8th grade government and history in Tennant then taught country school for a year outside of Jacksonville. Russell and Deloris later moved to Portland, Oregon to continue their education, he taught school while Oregon State where he received his Master’s Degree in School Administration. He was then an Elementary Principal in Marshalltown, Iowa and an administrator and counselor at Elk Horn Kimballton Schools. He also began a teaching career at IWCC for 12 years at the Harlan and Atlantic campuses. Russell worked for the University of Missouri as a teacher advisor for a few years throughout Missouri until retirement.
Russell’s hobby included woodworking. He also took on the role on Santa Claus for over 30 years. His passion was reading and he shared his passion by donating thousands of new books to the children of Shelby County.
Russell died on Friday, January 12, 2018 at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, attaining the age of ninety-one years, eleven months and thirty days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughters Patricia Booth and Teresa Adams, siblings Virginia Hopkins, Roland Adams, Forrest Adams and Rex Adams.
He is survived by his wife of seventy-one year Deloris Adams of Harlan, Iowa; daughter Jayne and her husband Gary Baugh of Johnston, Colorado; son David Adams and his wife Peggy of San Antonio, Texas; 5 grandchildren; 6 great children; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
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