Don Adams
Don was born on September 1st, 1934 in Dyer Arkansas. He was a successful business man in numerous places for over 50 years. His charitable contributions reached too many people to accurately list. His work ethics & honesty were unmatched. He never met a stranger & was always ready for conversation. He was known & loved by all. Don loved his work, travels, golf, & fishing, but mostly he loved to be around family & friends.
Don left his hometown of Alma, AR as a young man to pursue a successful career in business but he never forgot his roots.
After living in California for a period of time he moved to Washington State where he tried his hands at various business until he started a business called Pacific Rubber in Seattle Washington in 1968. Through hard work and smart business decisions the business grew and with his brother Drennon Adams they opened a number of branches in the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Kansas, and into Alaska.
In 1997 he developed Eagle Crest Golf Course and Properties, a premier championship golf course and community. After his return to Alma Don was very involved in assisting many charitable organizations in the Arkansas River Valley. He supported the Alma Education and Arts Foundation, the Alma Stadium Artificial Turf Fund, The Alma Area Boys and Girls Club, Western Arkansas Child Development, the Alma Community Thanksgiving Dinner, the Adams General & Technical Scholarship Foundation, and many others. Don assisted several families and small churches throughout the area, many times anonymously, and never desired any publicity or recognition. Don had a heart for people in need and was always willing to provide assistance in any way he could. Don was confident in his ability as a business man but was also extremely humble.
Don's next venture came in 2008 when he got into the fruit business. Owning what is now River Valley Fruit. A packing & storage facility assisting area farmers package, store & sell their fruits. That led to him owning & operating cherry & apple orchards in the Columbia Valley in Washington. Later in life this is what he loved. Oftentimes he could be found out in the fields working alongside his staff, or checking on his harvest. He loved driving thru the orchards to show people his fruit trees. He became a successful farmer.
Don is survived by his wife Terri Adams of 25 years, children include Allen & Charlotte Adams (Monroe, WA), Darrell & Lorie French (Granite Falls, WA), Don Jr & Carmen Adams (Kennewick, WA), James & Laramay Adams (Grandview, WA), Debra Mick-Brittain & Lee Brittian (Alma, AR), Kent & Paige Medlock-Adams (Burlington, Ks), Clint & Valerie Medlock-Adams (Benton City, WA), Brandon & Erica Medlock-Adams (Alma, AR). Siblings include Drennon & Gloria Adams (Spokane, WA) & Ruby Dillard (Springdale, AR)
Don also had 21 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild along with numerous nieces, nephews, & cousins.
Don’s life, in a printed book
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The world Don knew
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