| Graduation Year | Class of 1939 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 15, 2015 |
| About | June 15, 1920 – January 22, 2015 The fourth of seven children, Ernest Leonard Adam was born on June 15, 1920 to Jacob and Katharina (Geinger) Adam. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, January 22, 2015, one day after suffering a stroke in his home. Ernie is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Stella (Rauser) Adam; sons, Bill Adam (EGHS '64) and Jack Adam (EGHS '67); daughter, Barbara (EGHS '68) Luiz and husband, David; former daughter-in-law, Sally Adam; eight grandchildren: Scot Adam, Philip Adam, Jennifer (Luiz) Patton, Sara (Adam) McConnell, Tim Adam, Kevin Luiz, Kaitlin Adam, Abigail Adam; 13 great-grandchildren; and brothers Alvin Adam of Eugene, Oregon, and Roy Adam of Winters, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, two brothers, and daughter-in-law, Carol K. Adam. The Adam family moved from South Dakota in 1920, making Ernie the first native Californian. Ernie graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1939, and joined the US Marine Corps in 1941 prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. While in the Marines, he saw action on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian Islands. As part of the Greatest Generation he was known for his patriotism and love of country. You would recognize his home by the United States and Marine Corps flags flying daily. After his discharge from the USMC in 1946, he began a career as a carpenter, working for many local contractors, including a remodel job at the California State Capitol. Ernie retired in 1982 but continued his love of craftsmanship, and through retirement Ernie was a creative and generous tradesman volunteering his skills where needed. A builder by trade, he knew, as Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…”. Serving God and being active in the Church Body was a very important part of his life. Ernie gave his heart to Jesus as a young boy, and expressed many, many times that while serving during the war he was never afraid because his faith and confidence in God would protect him and his trust in his Savior would bring him safely home. Ernie was a member of First Baptist Church in Elk Grove where he and Stella sang in the church choir and volunteered as high school youth advisors; he also served as a trustee for many years, and again, was always available to help with maintenance and repairs. Ernie and Stella have always been faithful givers to God’s work. They supported and participated in many mission projects: remodeling an inner city church in Philadelphia with the Schuh Crew, a classroom addition at a church in Newmarket, England, and construction of a missionary home in Aniak, Alaska. Ernie had a great respect and appreciation for nature, and he enjoyed gardening. Ernie and Stella enjoyed traveling - visiting Europe, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Alaska. They crossed the states many times in their motorhome. Ernie loved classical music. He was most likely the only Union carpenter who listened to Bach and Beethoven while swinging his hammer. He enjoyed word searches and crossword puzzles in the newspaper and deciphering personalized license plates. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, ever hopeful for the Kings. He loved his grandchildren and took great delight in his great-grandchildren. He lived a great life and while he will be greatly missed, Ernie leaves a legacy of faith and family that will live on. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made in Ernie’s name to the Camp Scholarship Fund, c/o First Baptist Church of Elk Grove, the money will be used to send youth to Church summer camp. Viewing will be held Monday, February 2, 2015 from 4 - 8 PM at Elk Grove Memorial Park and Mortuary (East Lawn) at 9189 East Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624 916-732-2031/www.eastlawn.com Funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 2:30 PM in the chapel at First Baptist Church, 8939 East Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624 - Private burial to follow. Information from the Elk Grove Citizen Published: Thursday, February 5, 2015 9:32 AM PST |
