Don Adams III

Don Adams III

1938 - 2023

Don Adams III was born August 19, 1938 in Sigourney, Iowa and died at home in Sterling Heights, Michigan on March 29, 2023.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joanne (Beggs) Adams of Sterling Heights, MI; children Valerie (Cliff) Weyhing of Shelby Township, MI and Mark (Stacy) Adams of New Hudson, MI; grandchildren, Joshua and Rachel Weyhing and Jacob Adams, his sister, Jeanne Amble of Carterville, IL, nephews Michael Amble and Matthew Amble, and niece Rebecca (Brad) Craig, aunt Marcella (Kucera) Baugh, and his buddy Squeaky, the cat.  He was preceded in death by his father, Don J. Adams, mother Sylvia W. (Kucera) Adams, uncle Richard Adams, and grandson Daniel M. Adams.

Don was raised in Sigourney, Iowa, graduating from high school in 1956.  He participated in chorus, and band and orchestra as a percussionist. He also participated in track and football.  Don enjoyed hunting, fishing and exploring with his classmates and friends.  He had fond memories of playing in the summer Band Concerts on the Courthouse Square.  Don worked as a “printer’s devil” at the Sigourney (News) Review where his father was Editor, Publisher and later Owner.  Don attended the University of Iowa, working summers at the “Review”, and as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office.  He also worked one summer at the Armstrong Rubber Tire Plant in Des Moines, Iowa.  Don graduated in February of 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Commission as 2nd Lieutenant through the Army ROTC Program.

Don married Joanne on February 12, 1961 at the First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA and entered active duty later that same month.  He was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD for training and then in June to the US Army Guided Missile School on Redstone Arsenal, AL.  There, he served as leader of a training unit, teaching Nike Missile Guidance System Maintenance until June of 1964.  He was later discharged with the rank of Captain.

In June of 1964, Don joined Chrysler at their facility on Redstone Arsenal, where they conducted static test firings of the Saturn I and IB space boosters which were used in the Gemini Missions.  He conducted rocket engine performance analysis and prepared several of the technical reports for NASA.  At the end of that program, in August 1968, he transferred to Chrysler Engineering in Highland Park and later to their Tech Center in Auburn HIlls, MI.  Don worked as an engineer in steering controls, safety systems, brakes and instrument panels.  He retired in February of 2001 as Supervisor of Small Car Instrument Panel Design.  Don had an avid interest in computers, from his classes in college, to mainframe experience at Redstone and Chrysler, to the PC of today.  Don also enjoyed photography, gardening, theater and travel.  He took his family traveling throughout the United States.  Don and Joanne enjoyed attending the Shaw Festival in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, CA, annually for many years.   They also traveled extensively, including trips to China, Australia, and throughout Europe.

Don expressed a wish to thank all the family, friends and associates which helped to make his life such a joyful experience.  May Peace Be With You.

Visitation began at 10:00 a.m. with services following at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church of Warren.  The service was also livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page at Warren First United Methodist Church.

Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Warren.