Keith C. Adams 1925-2012

ADAMS BUTLER WATTERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/20/2012 at 12:20:58

Sioux City Journal
August 26, 2012

SIOUX CITY | Keith C. Adams, 87, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at his daughter’s home, comforted by family.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church with the Rev. Michael Erpelding as celebrant. Entombment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, with military graveside rites offered by the U.S. Navy. Visitation, with family present, will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a Sioux City Fire Department Honor Guard at 6 p.m., and a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences for the family may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Keith was born on Feb. 23, 1925, in Sioux City, to Isadore and Alice (Butler) Adams. His parents were later divorced, and his mother, Alice married Joe Miller, who then assumed the role of father for Keith and his siblings, and grandfather to their children. Keith attended Sacred Heart School in Sioux City.

The following was written by Keith detailing his history in the United States Navy, "Enlisted in the Navy at 17, in 1942. Sent to the Great Lakes Naval Boot Camp. Went aboard the USS Indiana at Caslo Bay, Portland, Maine, while on its shake down cruise. Served aboard the USS Indiana continuously until February 1946, earning 12 Campaign Stars. Was assigned to the Repair and Firefighting Damage Control aboard ship. Was Discharged Shipfitters 3rd Class on February 23, 1946, at the age of 21." Keith’s only regret is that he hadn’t kept in closer contact with the many shipmates he had aboard the USS Indiana.

Keith returned to Sioux City, married a beautiful girl of 16, Dorothy Watterson on May 7, 1949. To this union, three daughters were born, Jenny, Julie and Jane. Keith joined the Sioux City Fire Department in 1956. He was injured while at a house fire in about 1966. Keith retired as a first lieutenant of the Sioux City Fire Department, after which he owned and operated his used car lot on West 4th and Wesley Way, K.C.’s Used Cars.

Keith was a number one family man. He was always there for his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His wife, Dorothy passed away on May 17, 2002, after 53 years of marriage. For the past 10 years, Keith’s days started at 10 a.m. at Dorothy’s grave site for his prayers. Keith was also an avid thrift store shopper, making daily stops. Each day was dinner at the Senior Center with his friends; Chef Jeff took excellent care of him.

Keith was a member of the North Sioux City Cribbage League, where he earned great respect and some fear from his competitors because of his skill of the game (or was it the run of his mouth or the run in his hand that won him most of his games?).

Keith is survived by his Dachshund Pee-Wee; three daughters, Jenny Abraham and her late husband, Art of Sioux City, Julie Martin and her husband, Mike of Sioux City, and Jane Hockett and her late husband Danny of Sioux City; six grandchildren, Tim (JoDee) Sholts, Shane (Sara) Martin, Dori (Darren) Koster, Derek (Stacey) Martin, Renee (Todd) Hummel and Danny Hockett II; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one brother; three sisters; and his two sons-in-law.

Pallbearers for the service will be Sioux City firefighters.

A special thank you to Dr. Geha for your kindness, concern, skill and compassion that you showed our dad.