John Raymond Adams

John Raymond Adams, aged 85, died on August 19, 2023, in Durham, North Carolina after a brief illness. He was born on August 12, 1938, to the late Raymond and Rosella Davis Adams of Putnam County, New York.

John led an interesting and multi-faceted life. He grew up in the house that his father built in Kent Cliffs, New York, where, though an only child, he was surrounded by his father’s 8 siblings and their families. John was the first in his family to attend college and worked as many as three jobs at a time to pay for it. He graduated from the State University of New York at Oswego with a teaching credential. After graduation, he taught English for two years in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer and for one year in Colombia, SA, as an employee of USAID (United States Agency for International Development), making lifelong friends in both places. After teaching elementary school briefly in New York state, he moved to San Jose, CA, where he met and married Toni Siegrist, and went on to earn his master’s degree in education and supervisory credential at San Jose State University.

John taught in the Alum Rock School District in San Jose for 34 years. He was a master teacher, a mentor teacher, and a supervisor of student teachers. He taught every age group from kindergarten to adult in many topic areas, but especially loved 8th grade American History. He was an early advocate of “student-centered learning” and “active learning,” and taught other teachers how to implement their principles. One student later said that he had learned more from John in 8th grade American History than he had from any class in middle school, high school, or college.

After retiring from teaching, John moved to the Sacramento area where he lived in both Rocklin and Roseville and became a professional volunteer. He delivered meals on wheels, was a member of the Rocklin Elks, and volunteered with the Rocklin Police Department. He also worked with CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates for foster children) as both a CASA and a mentor. He was especially good at connecting with teenagers. He began several programs while volunteering with the Rocklin PD including their child fingerprinting program, stranger-danger presentations in elementary schools, and emergency preparedness classes, contributed to many others, and organized many related events. Because of his dedication, creativity, and untiring efforts, he was named Volunteer of the Year by the California Crime Prevention Officer’s Association Northern Chapter in 2006. In between his volunteer activities, John taught the classroom part of driver’s education to high school students.

John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was dedicated to his family and was especially proud of his two sons and his granddaughter, who were the joys of his life. He was also a caring dog owner, excellent conversationalist, and avid reader. American History, the Civil War, mystery novels, and newspapers were of special interest. John was proud of his Irish roots. He worked out his whole life then trained for and hiked the Grand Canyon in 2007 while in his 60s. He is profoundly missed by family and friends, especially for his deep intelligence, broad range of knowledge, and dry, quick, Irish wit.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Toni, his two sons, Derek of Durham, NC and Sean of Texas, his granddaughter Katya and daughter-in-law Anya of Durham, NC, his “sister” Margaret O’Donnell, and godson John O’Donnell both of California.

Services in New York are pending.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Help Ukraine (https://unitedhelpukraine.org/). John has been especially concerned about the war in Ukraine because of family connections there and has donated regularly to this charity.

The Adams family is under the care of Hall-Wynn Funeral Service. Online condolences and messages: www.hallwynne.com – select “obituaries.”