John Elton Adams, age 88, was born March 17, 1938 in Humboldt, Iowa to Leroy and Bernice(Sayers) Adams. He passed away Friday, May 8, 2026 at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa.

Visitation will be held Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 3-5pm at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care. Funeral services will be Monday, June 8, 2026 at 11:00am at First United Methodist Church.

To watch the livestream of John Adams' funeral service, click here: https://youtube.com/live/4caPC3DZJKE

To watch John Adams' tribute video, click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/P2HDF7RLNFY7PPDS

John grew up in Clarion, Iowa and graduated in 1956. Following high school John served in the Army and was stationed at Nyack, New York, working with rocket and missile launching. He then ventured to Arizona State University and completed his BS degree from Drake University in 1964. While attending Drake, he met his wife Jerelyn, and they married on April 25, 1965 in Rowan, Iowa. They were married 61 years.

His career began in Chicago as a sales manager with Carson Pirie Scott & Co. John and Jerri moved to Ames, Iowa in 1972 where they raised two daughters, Kimberly and Kristin. John spent his career in men's retail and sales. His pride and joy was owning Johnson's Clothing and J. Adams LTD at North Grand Mall. Johns hobbies included meticulously painting and detailing brass trains, selling his work to collectors and enjoying his personally built train room at home. John also collected a variety of rare coins and he enjoyed music such as big bands and Lawrence Welk. He attended ISU football games and was a long time Rotary Club member. John was an active card player, having played Golf every single day for 22 years. John and Jerri enjoyed traveling often. Jerri drove she and John to Arizona, for several years, enjoying warm weather and friends. They also traveled yearly with their daughters.

John treasured and was so proud of his family. He is survived by his wife Jerelyn, daughter Kimberly Smith (Wade Sundeen); Kristin Groepper(Dan); grandchildren Hanna, Claire, Jack and Ben Groepper; Dylan and Alec Smith and great grandchildren Charlotte Groepper and Kennedy Rasmussen. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Marilyn Mechem.

In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, John's family suggests memorial contributions may be directed to First United Methodist Church, one of any food service organizations around Ames, or sent to the family for a memorial tree planting they are planning in John's memory.