Harold R. Adams

Harold R. Adams, 90, of Mexico, died at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Boone Hospital in Columbia.

Funeral Services will be at 7 p.m. Monday evening at Pickering Funeral Home with Rev. David Nash, Rev. Randall A. Sawyer, and Rev. Robert H. Marty officiating. Visitation will be 5 p.m. until time of service. There will be a graveside service and Military Honors Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville, Ill.

Harold was born May 12, 1922 in Kincaid, Ill., a son of Otis Earl and Pearl Edna (Runyon) Adams. He graduated from Kincaid High School in May of 1940. On May 25, 1940, he joined the US Navy, spending 6 years serving. He was discharged Dec. 26, 1946. He served on the USS Republic, based at New York Naval Yards and San Francisco Navy Base. While there he attended James Milliken University, Decater, Ill. On July 31, 1948, in Taylorville, he married Dorothy I. Hubler, who survives at the home.

Mr. Adams worked at the Mexico-Audrain County Library for 16 years and retired in 2000. He had been the Branch Manager for Riback Supply Company; Assistant Manager at King Products and Supply Company; Salesman at Illinois Meter Company; Manager at M.S. Clesson P&H, Decatur, Ill; and an Accountant at Peabody Coal Company, Ill.

He was a member of the First Christian Church, where he had served as an Usher, Deacon, Elder Emeritus, Sunday School teacher and had served as Chairman of the Church Board. He was a life member (65 years) of VFW POST 4495 in Ill. He was also Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 36 at First Christian Church, and received honorary awards of Silver Beaver in 1976, and Vigil of the High Order of the Arrow. He gave many hours as a volunteer tutor for the Literacy Council. In 1994 he was given an award for being a "Pioneer Literacy Tutor". The award was presented to him by Barbara Bush.

In addition to his wife, Dorothy, he is survived by two sons, William "Bill" Adams of Columbia and Gary "Mike" Adams and wife Cindy of Littleton, Colo.; four grandchildren, Carrie Calkins and husband Michael, Littleton, Colo., Kathryn Ferguson and husband Dan, of Littleton, Colo., Sarah Norfolk and husband Ted of Grand Junction, Colo., and Rylan Adams of Columbia; and four great grandchildren, Aiden Calkins, Jack, Abby, and Emi Norfolk.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Christian Church or Boy Scouts of America. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.