Larned, KS –

John Charles Adams was born December 14, 1934 in Macksville,

Kansas and died in Wichita, KS on August 1, 2018. He was the only

child born to James Samuel Adams and Helen Louise McMorran

Adams. John graduated Larned High School and in 1953.

He attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts

degree in Psychology

and continued his education receiving a Master's Degree in Social Work. While in attendance he

was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and served as President. He was on the

KU Swimming

and Diving team and lettered, and played intramural tennis. He was a lifelong Jayhawk.

He returned to Larned where he began his career as a Social Worker at the Larned State Hospital,

later becoming Chief Social Worker for 41 years and over the course of those years he held multiple

positions on the Kansas State Board of Social Work.

He spent two years as Acting Superintendent of the Norton State

Hospital as well as Larned State Hospital. Because of his love for his work he

continued to work for a total of 54 years at the hospital. John was an Outreach

Instructor and taught classes for the University of Kansas, Tabor

College, Barton County Community College and Fort Hays State

University.

John believed in community service and knew the importance of

giving back.  John proudly served on USD #495 School Board,

including two terms as board president. He was a member of

Community Hospital Organization and was part of the committee to

establish and build Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. He served on

both advisory boards for St. Joseph Memorial Hospital and PVCH.

John was a 54 year member of the Larned Rotary Club and served on

the Santa Fe Trail Center Board of Directors, Larned Municipal

Swimming Pool board, and was a member of the Larned Airport Board.

John was the Chairman of Pawnee County KU Honors program for 47 years

and was recognized in 2005 with the Mildred Clodfelter Alumni Award for his dedication.

John was a Deacon and an Elder in the First Christian Church. Because of his faith and talents he

was blessed with, he was led to teach Sunday School, as well as sing in the choir.

John easily shared his gifts of love, loyalty, humor, wisdom, patience

and kindness with all who knew him. This was most especially true

with his family. On April 16, 1960 he married his wife Nancy Ann

Rickart. They shared 58 years of marriage and love. John was

passionate about family and was a devoted husband, loving father

and adoring grandfather. John was an avid reader who recognized the importance

of education. He never stopped learning.  He enjoyed WW2 history, especially

airplanes, anything KU, sports, music, wood working, sailing,

traveling, friends, and just "puttering" around. John knew the importance of

"living in the now" and did it with grace. He was the epitome of a True

Gentleman.

Left to mourn his passing are his beloved wife, Nancy, son, Kevan and his children

Lyndse (Casey) McPheeters, and great-granddaughter, Lillian, Kansas City, MO;

Tayler (William) McLaren, and great-grandchildren Sadie and James, Savannah, GA;

Samuel Adams, Daytona, Florida, daughter,  Amy Seeman and her fiancé Brian Pivonka, Larned, KS;

and her daughter Katie (Brian) Carlton, Larned, KS, many beloved cousins

who are like brothers and sisters;

Ann (Bob) Yeager Stanton, Kansas City, Kansas; Dr. Richard (Patsy) Yeager, Portland, OR;

Loring McMorran Dixon, Ashburn, VA; Layne (Rick) McMorran Bautista, Seattle, WA;

Robert (Susan) McAdoo, Nakomis, FL; William (JoAnn) McAdoo, Wichita, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother in spirit James Cleland.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with

Pastor Damon Bradley presiding. Visitation will be 1 pm to 8pm Sunday at Beckwith Mortuary.

Burial will be at Larned Cemetery, Larned, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church, Santa Fe Trail Center, Jordaan Library,

or the Alzheimer's Association all in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS. 67550.

Condolences may be left for family at beckwithmortuary.com.