Tooele High School

Thomas R. Adams - 1/20/2012

Class of 1952

LAYTON – Thomas R. Adams, 78, passed away peacefully on Friday morning January 20, 2012. He was born to Norval H. and Minerva Powell Adams on November 25, 1933. A native of Tooele, Utah Tom received his Eagle Scout award and graduated from Tooele High School in 1952. He was awarded All-State Football Honors which led him to the University of Utah and Utah State Agricultural College. After graduating from Utah State in Economics, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force. He later received an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California.

He married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Elaine Gordon, in 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple. Tom and Elaine were blessed with a family of five children.

During his 26-year Air Force career, he flew F-4 Phantoms and other fighter aircraft. A Vietnam Veteran, he flew 206 combat missions as an RF-4C navigator, receiving numerous awards and distinctions, including the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from the Air Force in 1983, at the rank of Colonel.

Following Air Force retirement he worked as a consultant to the Royal Saudi Air Force and as an instructor for many educational institutions.

Throughout his life, Tom was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the Elders and High Priests leadership, Sunday School, Young Mens, a High Councilman, and as Bishop. He served as an Executive Secretary to Bishops, two Stake Presidents, and five General Authorities. Tom and Elaine served missions in the Morristown, New Jersey Mission, the Africa Southeast Area, and the Europe Area Missions. The missions were highlights of their lives.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, children Michele (Scott) Watterson, Scott (Charity), Lisa Bybee (Mark, deceased), Paula (Tony) Ritchie, Brett (Athail), 31 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and brother LaVar (Afton).

He is preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Adams and Barbara Campbell, grand-daughter Zoie Catherine Bybee, and great-grandson Jackson Daniel Hoover.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Dawson Hollow Chapel, 2435 E. Canyon Rim (1550 N.), Layton, Utah. Friends may visit family on Tuesday from 6 – 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and on Wednesday prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the chapel.

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