THOMAS GEORGE ADAMS

Thomas George Adams, 73, of Richmond died at 12:22 PM on January 2, 2012. Tom was born March 12, 1938 in Saint Joseph, MO to Neil and Marie Adams of King City, MO. He graduated from King City High School in 1956. He was married to his high school sweetheart and classmate Kathryn Clark. To this marriage two children were born, Julie Kay Adams and Jeffery Thomas Adams.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Kathryn of 53 years; daughter Julie and husband Doug Day and their children Abigail and Megan of Liberty, MO; son Jeffery and wife Kimberly and their children Zachary, Hannah and Noah of Clinton, MO; sister Rose Marie Kent and husband Bernie of Richmond, MO; brother Neil Adams, Jr. and wife Nan of Alton, IL; and sister Neva Wasson and husband Richard of St. Louis, MO.
Tom graduated from Northwest State College in Maryville, MO in 1960 with a BS degree in Mathematics and Physical Education. He received a Masters degree in Physical Education from Southern Illinois in 1961 and a Master in the Art of teaching Mathematics from Washington State University in 1968.
Tom taught math and was assistant coach in football, basketball, track and baseball in Tropia High school in Chapin, IL during the 1961-62 school year. From 1962-64 he taught math and coached football at Fairfax, MO. He moved to Richmond in 1964 where he taught math for the next 40 years before retiring in 2004. He was head football coach for his beloved Spartans from 1966-82 and again from 1984-86. He also served as an assistant football coach for 8 years.
Tom was a man of faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom he served as member and elder in the Richmond Christian Church and then the United Christian Presbyterian Church. He was the long-time huddle leader of the Richmond Fellowship of Christian Athletes, served as the Dean of national FCA conferences and shared his faith both in the classroom and on the football field. Tom was a deeply loved husband, brother, father, grandpa, papa, teacher, coach and friend to all who knew him.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the Richmond United Christian Presbyterian Church or to the Tom Adams Scholarship Fund c/o the Richmond Education Foundation.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Richmond United Christian Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Burial will be in the King City (MO) Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Arrangements are by Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond.