James Edison Adams, 90, former long-time resident of Denton, passed away peacefully at his home in Stephenville, Texas on October 5, 2014.
James was born in Grayson County, Texas on August 8, 1924 to Thomas Marion Adams and Vertie Rodgers Adams, where he grew up on a farm. Although James worked at a variety of jobs during his life, he never lost his love for farming. He was, and is, considered the king of tomato growers. At the age of 20, James joined the US Army and trained as a radioman at Ft. Sill, OK. It was at that time that he developed one love, Ham Radio, and married another love, Mildred (Millie) Elaine Hall. While his affections for one were greater than the others, Millie, a garden and a radio tower lived at every home they ever owned.

Soon after World War II, James and Millie settled in Houston for 7 years and then moved to Denton, the town they always considered home. It was in Denton that God began to move in their lives. They worked extensively ministering to UNT and TWU college students for several years. After rearing their 3 sons in Denton, they felt called to serve as missionaries. Beginning in 1970, at the ages of 48 and 43, they moved to South America and spent 22 years preaching the Gospel and training local pastors in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. And yes, the radio tower went with them. After retiring from the mission field in 1995 they went on staff at Covenant Church in Carrollton, TX where they served as Care Pastors. Finally, at the ages of 84 and 79 they retired from official ministry and moved to Stephenville, TX with their middle son and daughter-in-law. While there they wrote and published a book detailing the wondrous things that God had done in and through their lives of devotion to Him.

James was the second of 9 children and is survived by 3 brothers and 3 sisters. He is also survived by Millie, his beloved wife of almost 70 years, 3 sons, Gary D. Adams and wife Ruth of Justin, TX, Dr. Phillip G. Adams and wife Kimberlea of Stephenville, TX and Stephen M. Adams and wife Carol of Lufkin, TX. They also have 11 grandchildren and 36 great grand children. James was devoted to two things, God and his family. And he was, in return, loved dearly by God and by his family.

The family would like to express their most heartfelt thanks to the caregivers who watched over our family for the past few weeks. While James was the patriarch of our family, you treated him like he was your own. You loved on him. You prayed over him. And when it was time, you cried over him. Your care was more than pastoral; it was personal. All of you touched our hearts. And from our hearts we thank you.

The family will be at DeBerry Funeral Directors on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. for visitation with the funeral service to begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors with Rev. Larry Holland officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.