John T. Adams

Surrounded by his family, Rev. John T. Adams crossed his finish line and entered glory on May 19th, 2022. Born in Abilene, Texas on October 15, 1934, along with his twin brother, James, John was one of nine children to Oscar and Fanny Deer Adams. Although he lived most of his life elsewhere as a vocational minister of the gospel, John remained a loyal Texan, often saying “You can take a boy out of Texas, but you can never take Texas out of the boy.”

John married Lamona Dean Leonard on May 25, 1956 and they shared 36 years of life together until Lamona’s passing on March 17, 1992. In June of 1996, John married Linda Buxton and she survives. Before entering the ministry, John proudly served as a sergeant in the National Guard.  Upon graduation from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri in 1959, John embarked upon a career of over 60 years as a Baptist minister. He loved serving the local church and was honored to pastor churches in Seguin, Texas, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Laramie, Wyoming, Clinton, Iowa, Omaha, Arkansas, until his capstone ministry as the pastor of the Wabash Valley Bible Baptist Church in Attica, Indiana, where he served for nearly 40 years. Reverend Adams was known well by his trademark cowboy boots, a big smile, and a kind and gracious spirit. He was small in stature, but large in spirit.

John leaves behind a distinct legacy of faith, hope, and love. He placed his faith in Jesus as a nine-year old boy and never looked back. He would later surrender his life to the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his example of perseverance in the face of challenges was a tremendous encouragement to all who knew him. He was often heard encouraging others to “Keep on keeping on” and for many, those words will continue to echo in their hearts as part of his legacy. One of his many favorite Bible verses was “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

John was a life-long student of the Bible and enjoyed learning in all seasons of his life. In addition to spending every possible moment with his family, John also enjoyed fishing, golf, and following his favorite teams. He was a long-time fan of the Chicago Cubs, Purdue Boilermakers, and the Dallas Cowboys. John was also a skilled carpenter and enjoyed using those skills in various projects, including building and renovating church buildings.

Preceding John in death are his wife, Lamona, his brothers, Kenneth Adams, Oscar Borum (“O.B.”) Adams, Richard Adams, and sisters, Mary Montgomery, Sidney Leake, and Daisy Orrok, and a son-in-law, Brian Vance.

John is survived by his wife, Linda Adams, of Mooresville, IN, her children: Mark Buxton, Nancy Vance (Brian), Mary Shepherd (Jeff), and Daniel Buxton (Holly). Also surviving are John’s four children: Debra May (Merle) of Springfield, MO. Delores Dodson (Bob) of Tanzania, East Africa, Donna Scott (Hubert) of Springfield, MO, and a son John David (Tawnia) of Attica, IN; 15 grandchildren, Christina May of Springfield, MO, Daniel May (Kate) of Spencerport, NY, Nathan Dodson (Angie) Saraland, AL, Delicia Hendrickson (Jared) of Saraland, AL, Seth Scott (Victoria) of Springfield, MO Jacob Scott (Shayla) of Springfield, MO, Makenzie Adams of Ligonier, IN, Abbi King (Alex) of Williamsport, IN, Jonathan Sage, Olivea, Ruby Rain Adams, Jacob Vance, Joel Vance, Allison Vance, and Ashley and Jamie Buxton. Great grandchildren: Katelyn May of Buffalo, NY, Alex, Lily, and Lola of Spencerport, NY, Claire Dodson of Saraland, AL, Lucas Dodson of Saraland, AL, Molly Dodson of Saraland, AL, Sam Dodson of Saraland, AL, and Winnie Dodson of Saraland, AL, Lyla Scott and Keegan Scott of Springfield, MO, Lilly Scott and Rylen Scott of Republic, MO.

Visitation will be at Wabash Valley Bible Baptist Church in Attica, Indiana on Saturday, May 21 2022 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., with a celebration of life following at 4:00 p.m. Visitation at Seminole Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri will be on Monday, May 23 2022 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. with a celebration of life following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Wabash Valley Bible Baptist Church memo John T. Adams Community Center Fund.