Obituary of Elton Ray Adams

Elton Ray “E.R.” Adams, Jr. entered the gates of heaven on Saturday, June 16th, 2012. He was finally released from a long battle with cancer and is now free from all suffering. E.R. was born to Elton Ray Adams, Sr. and Patricia Hanley on October 7th, 1958. He was a gift to so many from the moment he set foot on this earth. E.R. spent almost 20 years living and working in the Browns Point community. He was a staple at Art’s Grocery for most of those 20 years and then went on to pursue a career in the plumbing trade as a journeyman plumber for Local Union 26 in Lacey, Washington. He completed his apprenticeship with the union and received the designation of journeyman plumber which brought him great joy. He loved working with his hands. E.R. held an Associate Degree from Pierce College in Liberal Arts and Sciences. On July 18th, 1992, he married Collette (Jones) Adams, and they bought a house in Northeast Tacoma, only a few minutes from Browns Point. E.R. continued to be the “corn guy” at the Browns Point Salmon Bake for more than 25 years. The corn pit was a family legacy as E.R.’s father had done the corn for many years prior to E.R. proudly taking it over. Many a great time was spent down at the Browns Point park in support of the Browns Point Improvement Club and the community. E.R. was a great lover of animals, and we often referred to him as Doctor Doolittle, because even the most stubborn of creatures could not resist his charm. His sweet dogs, Betsy, Annie, and Nikki are enjoying their daddy’s company in heaven, and I know he is having a wonderful time rubbing bellies and scratching behind their ears. E.R. is survived by his wife, Collette Adams, his brother, Mark Adams, and his sisters, Karen and Marilee Adams as well as his brother-in-law, Greg Jones. A private family burial will be held. A “celebration of life” will be held at the Browns Point Improvement Club, Thursday, June 21st from 2-6 p.m. The address is 201 Ton-A-Wan-Da NE, Browns Point, WA. The event will be a potluck and will allow people to tell fun stories about their memories of E.R. That was something he loved most of all, having a party and telling stories. E.R. was about “life”, and this is the beginning of his new life in which he is full of energy and feels fantastic. Donations can be made in E.R.’s name to the American Cancer Society or to the CaringBridge website (which kept me going through these many years). Comments can be made in the Guestbook at www.edwardsmemorial.com.