James Chester Adams Jr.
JACKSONVILLE- James Chester Adams Jr. 94, died on April 15 at the Thompson House Nursing Home in Brattleboro. Mr. Adams was born in South Windham, CT on August 14, 1923, the son of the late James C. and Clara Isabel Allen Adams.
Mr. Adams attended local schools and was a graduate of the Norwich Free Academy in 1942. He worked as a machine operator for many years and in his earlier years worked for his father in the sawmill in Jacksonville. He retired from Kendall Textile Mills in Griswoldville, MA, on March 30, 1986.
Mr. Adams served his country as a member of the US Army Aviation Engineers during WWII. He was also a member of Unity Lodge #89 F&AM, serving as Past Master and District Deputy for the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Brattleboro and Past Patron of O.E. S. Mayflower Chapter #19 for 16 years. Mr. Adams recently received his 60-year membership pin for the Unity Lodge and a 50-year membership pin for the OES.
Mr. Adams enjoyed walking in the woods and on the local roads and would walk up to six miles a day. He was an avid history reader. He cut and processed his own wood on his property for many years. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
He was a dedicated member of the Congregational Church in Jacksonville, and had been a member of the Couples Club and Western Square Dancing Club.
Mr. Adams is survived by his wife Shirley Brown Adams, of Brattleboro, whom he married June 18, 1949 in Colrain, MA; children Nancy Adams-Lentz and her husband Russell, of Pace, FL, Jacqueline Adams-Howes and her husband Jason, of Jacksonville, and Cheryl Adams-Crawford and her husband Roger, of Wilmington; five grandchildren, Julie, Frank, Abigail, Kristy, and Matthew; and eight great-grandchildren, Derek, Ryan, Rachel, Nicholas, Casey, Shayne, Ashlyn, Zachary, and Elias.
He was preceded in death by his grandson Benjamin Birch and great-grandson Dylan Crawford.
Mr. Adams was the oldest of six siblings and was preceded in death by sisters Claire Derosier and Ruth Brennan, and brothers John, Donald, and Gilbert Adams.
A celebration of the life of Mr. Adams will be held Friday, May 4, at 11 am at the Jacksonville Community Church. Interment will be private. There are no visiting hours.
If friends desire gifts in Mr. Adams’ memory may be made to the Jacksonville Community Church, c/o Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.