Jim R. Adams

Reverend Jim R. Adams went to heaven on Thursday, July 8, 2010. He passed away at the Medical Center of South Arkansas following a brief illness. Born in Reader, Ark., on Oct. 2, 1940, he was the son of R. A. "Buck" and Alma Wagoner Adams. Jimmy attended elementary school in Reader and junior high and high school in Chidester where he was a stand out athlete in both baseball and basketball. At age 18, he went into the grocery business as a meat cutter and remained for the next 40 years. During this time he spent 16 years at Safeway as their meat market manager where his department received several top performance awards. He retired from secular employment in 1998 from Strong Supermarket. He was called into the ministry early in life after serving in various leadership positions in his church. He served as Christ Ambassador (C.A.) Director for Arkansas Section 13 from 1970 to 1974 and was licensed with the Assemblies of God in 1982 and ordained on April 25, 1984. He became Pastor of Green Grove Assembly of God Church in June of 1980 and recently completed 30 years of ministry there as Pastor. During this time he oversaw a complete building program for a new church and changed the lives of those around him. There remains an engraved transcription on his pulpit which he read to himself before each sermon…."and when they lifted up their eyes they saw no man, save Jesus". His desire was always to show Christ and not himself. Jim also volunteered as hospice chaplain for ADH. Jim coached Babe Ruth baseball from 1976 to 1982 where he touched the lives of many young men. He was also an avid Razorback fan and enjoyed the annual family trips to attend games. He married Winna Ruth Barton on Dec. 23, 1961. She was his life partner in love and ministry, and this was clearly evident to all who know them. Jim was the head and also the cornerstone of his family. He was our high priest and also the husband, dad, brother, Popa and friend to each of us. He taught us so many valuable lessons that we will be continuing to learn from him the rest of our lives. The effects of his daily morning prayers for each of us will linger on. He will never be forgotten and always cherished. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother; and his family who survive him are his wife, Winna; two sons, James Adams and wife, Sharlane of West Monroe, La., and Jason Adams and wife, Amanda of El Dorado; daughter, Janna Jerry and husband, Jeff of White Hall; brother, Jerry Adams and wife, Sally of El Dorado; seven grandchildren, Wesley, Ashton, Kayla, Chloe, Abigail, Jackson and Carter; and one great-grandchild, Addison. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, July 12, 2010, in Young's Chapel with the Revs. Laron Blann, Vernon Ables, Lynn Ables and Dell Carr officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors. Visitation will be Sunday, July 11th from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials in his memory may be made to Hillcrest Children's Home, 2325 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, Ark. 71901 or the Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS), 1000 Sunset Rd., El Dorado, Ark. 71730. An online guest book is available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.