Obituary of Col. John Q. Adams

Col. John Quincy Adams, II, USA (ret.) passed away peacefully at his home on Lake Martin with his wife of 64 years, Sara, and other family members by his side on May 4, 2019. Funeral service for Mr. Adams will be on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Monday, May 6, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Interment will be at Ashland Cemetery.  

John Q. was born March 14, 1936 in Ashland, Alabama. The son of John Mackey Adams and Verna Sumners Adams, he grew up in Ashland and graduated from Clay County High School in 1954.  He was married to his high school sweetheart, Sara Louise Upton, in 1955.  He attended Auburn University and graduated in 1958.  He coached and taught at Dixon Junior High School, in Talladega, Alabama.  He later was employed by the city of Talladega as the Superintendent of Recreation where he served the city and youth for 12 years. 

He loved his country and enlisted in the guard at age 17 with the written permission of his mother and father.  He served his country through the military both at home and abroad.  He later went to work for the Alabama National Guard and retired as a Colonel.  After retirement from the National Guard he became the Executive Director of the Alabama National Guard Insurance Trust.  His final career path was serving as the Alabama ESGR, Executive Director in their mission of promoting supportive work environments for service members. 

John Q. was an active member of his community and his profession, serving as the “State President” of the Alabama Superintendent of the Recreation Association and being selected as the “Young Man of the Year” of the Talladega Jaycees.  He was also a member of the Talladega Water board.  He was an active member of The First United Methodist Church of Talladega.

He loved kids and coaching and was not only a coach to Talladega city school children but also was a coach, as a father, for his children and other children in local city sports leagues.  He loved his Alma mater, Auburn University, and rarely missed a home football game.

He is survived by his loving wife Sara, Sister Patsy Adams Riley (Bob), Children Ruth Adams Barnes, John Quincy Adams, III (Kim), Thomas Sumners Adams (Paula), Timothy Ralph Adams (Gina) and James Robert Adams (Beverly).  Grandchildren, Brandi James Miller (Daniel), Tiffany James Coshatt (Gary), Todd Anthony Barnes (Nicole), Sara Adams Wilson (Matt), Thomas Sumners Adams, II,  Emma Adams Glover (Daniel), Hendrick Holley Adams, James Robert Adams, Jr , John Quincy Adams, IV, Ivey Frances Adams, Camille Rose Adams, and John Mackey Adams, II and 5 great grandchildren..

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First United Methodist Church of Talladega, The First United Methodist Church of Ashland, Children’s Harbor, or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.usreyfuneralhome.com with Usrey Funeral Home Talladega directing services.