Jack E. Adams Sr.

Born in 1932, in Rocky Grove, Jack was the son of Earl and Mabel (Haus) Adams and the 10th of 12 siblings. He graduated from Rocky Grove High School in 1951. His large family gave him the foundation for a lifetime of hard work, faith, and unwavering love of family.

On January 31, 1953, Jack married the love of his life, Betty (Snyder) Adams, at St. Patrick’s Church in Franklin. Three months later, Jack answered the call of duty and served his country as a military policeman in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, far away from his new bride and missing the birth of his first-born son. He was honorably discharged on his son’s first birthday in March of 1955.

After returning home, Jack began his career as a machinist at Chicago Pneumatic (CPT) in Franklin. Together, he and Betty built a life filled with love, raising six sons in the home they built on Liberty Street. Jack worked at Chicago Pneumatic for nearly 25 years until the plant took a downturn. With a layoff looming and to keep his family well fed, he actually took a second job at JOY Manufacturing as a machinist while still working at CPT. For a period, he worked a full shift at CPT and then raced to work the next full shift at JOY. Once CPT finally closed the machine shop, while still working as a machinist at JOY, he and Betty started “Adams Bicycle Shop” behind their house. It became his full-time job. Jack and Betty ran the shop for nearly 25 years and sold over 8,000 bikes together and repaired countless more.

Jack’s deep devotion to his family was evident in everything he did. Whether coaching basketball for St. Patrick’s School, driving the school bus, helping the boy scouts, or spending late nights working to provide for his family, Jack always led by example. Despite his hard work, he always made sure to spend time with his family with many camping trips that have generated countless memories.

Jack’s faith, kindness, and humble spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Above all, he will be remembered as a father who was deeply admired and adored by his sons and daughters-in-law, who lovingly followed his example and often expressed their gratitude for his steady guidance and unconditional love. He wanted most to be remembered as “a good parent”.

Jack is survived by Betty, his beloved wife of nearly 72 years, his children Jack and wife Margie, John and wife Sandy, Randy and wife Cheryl, Andy and wife Susie, Jay and wife Stephanie, David and wife LeaAnn. He has 14 grandchildren, Jaclyn Peal and husband Ryan, Brad and wife Katherine, Jessi, Jason and his wife Emily, Nick and wife Ashley, Erica, Michael, Megan LeBlanc and husband Keagan, Daniel and wife Alexandra, Thomas and wife Ashley, Christopher and wife Allie, Sydney, Katlyn, and Kyle. Jack has 11 great-grandchildren, Allison, Lauren, Aesa, Isla, Kaden, Kaia, Jack, Eloise, Avett, Andi Jill, and Vance.

Also surviving is his sister Linda Cochran and her husband, Charles, sister-in-law Ann Adams, and brother-in-law William Bunce, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Friday, January 3rd, 2025, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 6:00 -8:00 PM at Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home, 312 W. Park Street, Franklin, PA.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday Jan 4th, 2025 at St Patrick’s Church at 949 Liberty St., Franklin with Father James C. Campbell, officiating, which will be followed by a reception lunch at the Knights of Columbus hall at 1436 Liberty St, Franklin. All are welcome.

Military Honors will be rendered by the V.E.T.S Honor at the conclusion of Mass outside of the church.

Donations may be made to St. Patrick’s Church.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.HuffGuthrie.com.

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