Daniel (Dan) Thomas Adams, age 76, went to be with the Lord on July 14, 2018 after a long battle with cancer and heart disease. Dan was born on January 15, 1942 to Tom and Mary (Reardon) Adams in the south side of Chicago, IL. He grew up in Chicago, attending Leo High School and Loyola University.
Dan married Garnet Gelhar on April 10, 1976. They had 42 years of loving marriage before his passing. He said that was the greatest blessing of his life.
Dan was a lifelong salesman for various textbook companies. He could sell anything to anyone, oftentimes changing the minds of customers after they had chosen a competitor. His positive and gregarious personality was contagious and he could light up a room.
After doing sales presentations, he would end by saying, “Thank you on behalf of my wonderful wife and six children! ” As a former English and Latin teacher, Dan had a gift for teaching and mentoring. He would review homework assignments with his famous red pen and spent many hours practicing sports with the family.
Dan loved attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events and was known for his loud cheering—and critique of the referees. He served on church boards, sang loudly (and off key) in church services, attended mission trips with high school youth when he was retired, and chaperoned VBS field trips. He was especially proud to walk his four daughters down the aisle, as well as see his two sons marry.
Christmas and other holidays were a special treat to him, providing the opportunity to spend time with all 19 of his grandchildren. Dan loved playing golf—learning the game first as a caddy in his youth and even working for a time as a golf course bartender to bring home some extra spending money (and play free golf). He enjoyed the challenge of the game, as well as the opportunity to spend time with old friends and make new ones on the course.
His favorite, though, was any opportunity to play with his family. Dan’s loud laugh, his sense of humor, and ability to talk with anyone and everyone was a delight for so many. He never failed to let you know what he thought, even if you didn’t want to hear it!
Dan simply loved people. He loved shaking hands, giving his famous bear hugs, and getting to know more about others. Almost as much as people, he loved sweets of any kind and even won an ice cream eating contest at the DeForest Library.
Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Garnet; his six children Lori (Mark Stella), Lisa (Pat Dumoulin), Lynda (Michael Price), Dan (D’Ann Adams), Erica (Matt Becker), Jon (Greer Adams); and 19 grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 220 South Main Street, DeForest, with Rev. Sue Beadle presiding.
A visitation will be held from 9AM until time of services on Wednesday at the church. Our family would like to thank Rev. Sue, Agrace Hospice, especially Kristin, Sara, Cass, and Stephanie, and BrightStar Care, especially Meshech.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Agrace Hospice or Christ Lutheran Church. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.
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