Merle Adams

Daddy, Daddy - Our Little Daddy

First and foremost, our daddy was a man of God that loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart and committed himself to living a godly life of honesty and integrity.

Our daddy was the husband of one wife for almost 67 years; he was faithful and true to our mom all these years.

Our daddy was a man of his word. I he said it, it was as good as taking it to the bank.

Our daddy was our hero - our knight in shining armor. There was nothing he couldn't do. He was the best daddy a girl could ever ask for. With six women to care for, God knew we would need someone extra special that stood head and shoulders above the rest and He gave him to us . . . he was ours. With God as Captain and daddy as His 1st mate, they provided the perfect atmosphere for five young ladies to grow and mature.

Our daddy was a Godly role model for young and old alike and many sought his wisdom and advice.

So . . . how does one man survive in a home with six women? For years, the men my dad worked with razed him about living with six women. Finally, he came up with an answer that brought silence to their jesting: "I tell you what," he said, " I bet I get more lovin' than any other man in town."

And he was right. Our home was full of love. It began with a high school romance that led to marriage that led to 5 baby carriages . . . each filled with a girl. Not only did we thrive in this magnetic atmosphere of love, but it attracted our friends too and the door was always open to them.

Our daddy was a man with a big heart and he was a generous man. Even with six hungry mouths to feed, our home was like a spreading chestnut tree and it's branches provided shelter and respite for many who needed the joy and tranquility found within its walls-cousins, aunts, uncles, and lots of friends.

Our daddy held our respect - he was definitely the head of the house. But he allowed the spirit of laughter and joy to thrive there. Don't get me wrong, there were times of discipline, very strong sometimes, but it was all bathed in love.

Our daddy was one of the biggest instigators of pranks and hilarity too--His famous chases around the house to give us whisker rubs, or getting the cold wet washcloth treatment to get us out of bed in the morning, tuck jobs (my mom's favorite), the hoochy-koochy -that was my dad's take on the Twist -all bring smiles and warmth to our hearts.

I remember on one occasion while we were camping with several families, my dad had come back from a walk and had a paper bag in his hand. All the kids wanted to know what was in his paper bag. So with great curiosity, and one at a time, he summoned them over to take a peek. With wide eyes they peered into his bag, and then with a smile on their face, said, "Oh!" After 5 or 6 kids took their turns looking at the mystery contents, we wanted to know too. The mystery contents: a roll of toilet paper.

Charlene remembers Friday night's especially when daddy came home and we would run after his truck as he drove in the driveway. Our aim: to carry his lunch pail in the house because he always had a treat for us, like peanuts or some kind of candy bar,

Margery's special memory is when daddy used to pretend he was a gorilla. He would get down on the floor on all fours, with his knuckles folded under his hands, make his funny gorilla face with those big lips of his and he would beat his chest and roar. Then he would chase Joanne and Billy around the bookcase and mom would get mad at him and say, "Merle, stop that!"

Elaine recalls Saturday morning when daddy mowed the law. He'd dump the grass clippings in a wheelbarrow and then she'd jump on top of the clippings and off he'd go, wheeling her to the backyard and then he'd dump her, clippings and all, on a big heap of already-cut grass.

Daddy always had a toothpick in his mouth. Pauline remembers crawling up on his lap and he would pull the toothpick out of his mouth and lightly poke her with it on the side of her leg and then say he was vaccinating her for love.

Our daddy was just full of life and he freely shared it with everyone.

He loved to play the harmonica and he whistled too.

And oh my, his unforgettable expressions, such as "want some glue" - as only my dad could say. Okay, I'll tell you about that one. One of us girls had prepared mashed potatoes for dinner one night. They didn't turn out too well and as daddy served them up, the "Want some glue" was coined. I think that night we even filled our mouths with mashed potatoes and pressed our cheeks together and yep, out it came.

Our daddy could make anything - he was a craftsman extraordinaire. We were the only girls around that had a doll house - not just a play one for dolls - but a real, life-sized one that was big enough even for adults. He made us portable doll closets, scooters made with skates and then later on beautiful treasures such as double-drawer Oak recipe boxes, jewelry boxes with inlaid wood, bathroom cabinets, nick-nack shelves, rare wood pen and pencil sets and one of my prized possessions, a wooden "pig" cutting board, that was fashioned after the one he made my mom that we all used in the kitchen while growing up.

Daddy taught us to fish and even how to clean them too. In fact, you couldn’t fish with daddy unless you cleaned your own. We spent many summers camping in tents and sleeping bags. I learned to love sports from my dad and we are five rare women who love football, baseball and basketball because of him.

In his last couple of days, Daddy taught me to appreciate ice chips. Even though he had pneumonia, we were finally allowed to give him ice chips. They made his eyes dance and light up and they brought such sweet relief to him.

I could go on and on with story after story from all the wonderful memories that have washed over me the last couple of weeks.

But more than the laughter and the warmth that our home embraced, my daddy taught us about Jesus. From my earliest recollections as a young girl and forever emblazoned on my heart is the memory of my dad sitting in his big red chair, reading his Bible by the fireplace. That was his place . . . to feast on God’s Word . . . and then in word and deed for the rest of his life, taught us how to follow Jesus. I know he’s rejoicing that all of us girls are safe in the fold with Christ as our Shepherd. I know he and momma prayed for us and other loved ones—I heard them late into the night many times.

Daddy’s favorite scripture was John 14:1-4: from the words of Jesus:

“Do not let your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you, for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”

Yes, we are saddened that daddy is gone, but our hearts are not troubled, because he is in Our Father’s house, and so we’ll just say “Goodbye” for now, daddy.

December 31, 1923 -- August 12, 2009

John 14:1-6

Pleasant Valley Bible Church

Camarillo, California

August 19, 2009

Presented by Harry M Smith

The Lord is My Shepherd ~ Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd –

That’s RELATIONSHIP!

I shall not want –

That’s REST!

He leadeth me to lie down in green pastures –

That’s REST!

He leadeth me beside still waters –

That’s REFRESHMENT!

He restoreth my soul –

That’s HEALING!

He guides me in the paths of righteousness --

That’s GUIDANCE!

For His name’s sake –

That’s PURPOSE!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil –

That’s PROTECTION

For thou art with me –

That’s FAITHFULNESS!

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me –

That’s COMFORT!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies –

That’s HOPE!

Thou anointest my head with oil –

That’s CONSECRATION!

My cup runneth over –

That’s ABUNDANCE!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life –

That’s BLESSING!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord –

That’s SECURITY!

Forever –

That’s ETERNITY!

In loving memory of my grandfather. It's hard to believe he's gone!! by Tami Pray

In Loving Memory

Merle Alton Adams, dedicated husband, father, brother and grandfather, returned to the arms of his Heavenly Father on August 12, 2009 at the age of 85. Simonne, his greatest supporter, high school sweetheart and loving wife of 67 years was at his side. He left his earthly body peacefully when the Lord extended HIS hand to him and now he is with HIM in Heaven, giving glory to God. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and son-in-law William (Bill) Hammer.

Born in Tarzana, California, Merle was the third of five boys born to Howard Allen and Margery Alice Adams. While attending Canoga Park High School, Merle was both a gymnast and a football player, lettering in both sports. It was during high school he met the love of his life, Simonne Mary Chabot and they were married September 20, 1942, prior to his enlisting in the Air Force. Merle Adams proudly served his country during World War II as a mechanic and transporter in Texas, Hawaii and Okinawa before returning to California in 1946 to raise a family of five daughters.

Merle Adams became a Christian in 1950, walking with Christ each and every day from then until his last. His strong faith was essential in being the head of a large and loving family that included five daughters and their husbands, eleven grand children, thirty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Forced to retire early from his career as a lather due to an injury, he enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, reading his bible, and could often be found turning bowls or pens from wood in his wood shop.

He is survived by his loving and faithful wife Simonne; daughter Margery Hammer of Canyon Country; daughter and son-in-law Cecile and Harry Smith of Surprise, Arizona; daughter and son-in-law Elaine and Larry Schwein of Grants Pass, Oregon; daughters Charlene Leonard and Pauline Adams, both of Thousand Oaks; brothers Glenn Adams of Amarillo, Texas; Melvin Adams of Agoura, California; Harold Adams of Granada Hills, California; and Ray Adams of Reseda, Californa; eleven grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

With his family by his side

Merle Altom Adams passed away Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, with his family by his side. He was a long-time resident of Mariposa County and was dearly loved by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Simonne; daughter Margery Hammer; daughter and son-in-law Cecile and Harry Smith; daughter and son-in law Elaine and Larry Schwein; daughter Charlene Leonard; daughter Pauline Adams; eleven grandchildren; thirty-two great grandchildren; one great-grandson; brother Melvin Adams;

Merle was born December 31, 1924 and was the eldest of four children of Harold Graham Weston and Elsie Evangeline Tisdale Weston. He worked for his father's rigging company, DM Weston Company, moving large houses, equipment and even an entire college. After high school, he joined the US Navy and was very proud to serve his country on the Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier.

My grandfather is sick

Well, sick isn't the right word. he is shutting down. after nearly 90 years on the planet, his earth suit is getting ready to shed it's mortal coil. after a series of physical complications and surgeries, it's been determined by the doctors [and my grandfather, as well] that he'll be gone within a few days.

this wasn't news that was unexpected. his health has been failing since he moved down from mariposa a few years ago. honestly, i think the loss of his independence and not being able to work with his hands was the force that set the dominos in motion. my grandfather has always been a man with strong hands. a creator. a builder. an artist. taking away the ability to use those 'tools' is like removing someone's identity.

my grandfather is a man's man. born and raised with a hard work ethic and having survived typhoons in guam during wwii, he's a hearty guy. rough and tumble, calloused hands and a gravely voice; think john wayne and audie murphy rolled into a loveable figure that would love nothing better than to make you pee your pants from tickle attacks.

he was the sole male figure in a house with a wife and five daughters. constantly reinforcing his link to masculinity, he and the girls would often head into the sierras and would over the years spend quite a deal of time in the yosemite area. from my earliest recollections, grandpa had a house in the mountains. grandpa, himself, built a beautiful full-log cabin in june lake, ca. this was the birth-place of my love for the outdoors. the odd weekend, thanksgiving, christmas, summer vacation, almost every free moment was spent up at the cabin with variety of relatives; aunts, uncles, cousins and the variety of extended family were the usual characters in the chaos of laughter that filled that cabin. grandpa took us fishing, showed us how to chop wood, taught us how to tend the fire in the wood-burning stove and passed on his love of the mountains to us.

as far back as i can remember, too, grandpa had a hobby of working with wood. he would collect burls and wood scraps from all of his travels and turn the most beautiful bowls, make the most amazing jewelry boxes and surprise the family with a collection of hand made gifts every christmas; cabinetry for the bathroom, pig shaped cutting boards, rocking horses. his workshop was a place of refuge for him and a place to create and display his skill. each visit started out with a trip to the shop to see what his latest project was and to listen to him sing the praises of this friend that sent him this chunk of cherry or this road-side cafe that gifted him this maple burl.

grandpa's steadfast faith was something to marvel. his grasp of scripture and it's application to daily life was inspiring. he lived a christ-like life without apologies. grace was a concept that he understood well and applied to every relationship he stepped into. not to say that he was hard-headed and dogmatic but instead, with a self proclaimed favorite verse like this, you had to see the humor that ran through his veins:

Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

- Proverbs 5:19

all of this to say that i have the utmost respect for this man. the example he set with his wife, family and friends is one that had a profound impact on how i turned out today.

saturday ended up being a day to thank him for these things, tell him how proud i am to call him my grandfather, to share with him how i have been passing on his love of the outdoors to my son and in general, say goodbye. when he does pass, it will be my pleasure to celebrate what an amazing man he is.

as we drove to the hospital on saturday with my sister [the kurd] and her two kids, her oldest [jumpingjehosephathead] started this dialogue:

"Uncle Jeff, how did grandpa get sick?"

"Well, he's not really sick, he's just getting old. when you get really old, your body just sorta gets worn out and starts to shut down. it's like when you have a toy that you play with for a long time, it'll eventually stop working and break."

"kinda like my blanket? it's getting old now and it has lots of holes in it."

"yup, grandpa is a lot like your old blanket. he's just getting old and worn out now."

"i don't want to get old."

"oh, but getting old isn't a bad thing! look at all the amazing things that grandpa has had the chance to experience! he has raised five daughters, all of us grandkids and all of you great grandchildren. look at all of the things he's done, places he's gone and things he's made. if he didn't grow old, he would have never done those things. just like if you never grow old, you won't have kids and grandkids and you would miss out on all that life has to offer. it's just that grandpa is finished up here on earth and it's time for him to go home to be with god."

"oh, so you mean heaven is his REAL home?"

"yup."

"so, then, this has been like a VACATION for him?"

"yes, sweetie, it's been just like a vacation."

isn't it just like the wisdom of a child to really put it in perspective? a child that is evidence of the legacy that my grandfather leaves behind.

Margery:

Margery’s special memory is when daddy used to pretend he was a gorilla. He would get down on the floor on all fours, with his knuckles folded under his hands, make his funny gorilla face with those big lips of his and he would beat his chest and roar. Then he would chase Joanne and Billy around the bookcase and mom would get mad at him and say, “Merle, stop that!”

Pauline:

Daddy always had a toothpick in his mouth. Pauline remembers crawling up on his lap and he would pull the toothpick out of his mouth and lightly poke her with it on the side of her leg and then say he was vaccinating her for love.

Charlene:

Charlene remembers Friday night’s especially when daddy came home and we would run after his truck as he drove in the driveway. Our aim: to carry his lunch pail in the house because he always had a treat for us, like peanuts or some kind of candy bar.

Elaine:

Elaine recalls Saturday morning when daddy mowed the law. He’d dump the grass clippings in a wheelbarrow and then she’d jump on top of the clippings and off he’d go, wheeling her to the backyard and then he’d dump her, clippings and all, on a big heap of already-cut grass.

Cecile:

Daddy taught us to fish and even how to clean them too. In fact, you couldn’t fish with daddy unless you cleaned your own. We spent many summers camping in tents and sleeping bags. I learned to love sports from my dad and we are five rare women who love football, baseball and basketball because of him.

by Kathy Troccoli

I can't believe that you're really gone now.

Seems like it's all just a dream

How can it be that the world will go on

When something has died within me

The leaves will turn, my heart will burn

With colors of you

Snow will fall, but I'll recall your warmth

Summer wind, breathing in your memory

I'll miss you

But there will be a time

When I'll see your face

And I'll hear your voice

And there we will laugh again

And there will come a day

When I'll hold you close

No more tears to cry

'Cause we'll have forever

But I'll say goodbye for now

I can't imagine my life without you

You held a place all your own

Just knowing you were beneath the same sky

Oh what a joy I have known

On rainy days, in many ways

You'll water my heart

On starry nights I'll glimpse the light

Of your smile

Never far from my heart

You'll stay with me

So I'll wait...for now

Kathy Troccoli is an award-winning singer, songwriter, speaker and author of numerous books:

by Cecile M. (Adams) Smith

Whoa! We have had quite the travels since we left home on July 22 for the first stop in Oklahoma. We arrived there on Friday the 24th and enjoyed some wonderful, but shortened time with our youngest daughter Noelle and her sweet family. While we were there, we went to her ultrasound appointment on Tuesday the 28th and learned that we're going to have another grandson come Thanksgiving. We enjoyed being with them so much in their beautiful, new home but instead of staying until Friday the 31st, we had to leave on Wednesday for California.

My dad had been in the hospital for 12 days prior to the 28th with low sodium and what they thought was pneumonia. After realizing that when he swallowed his food that it was going into his lungs and not his stomach, they put a probe into his stomach to see what was going on. Much to everyone's surprise, they discovered a twist in his colon that was strangulating the blood supply and was also keeping food from going to the right place. This was a life or death issue (he would have been dead in 4-5 days), so they operated on his that night, with a 50% success rate risk. Amazingly, he came through the surgery very well and didn't have any heart problems (has had 4 open-heart surgeries in the past and has a defibrillator). He began to recover from the surgery with amazing speed and progress.

We arrived there on Friday, the 31st and by Sunday, August 2, he had been moved to a private room, off all medications, except fluids and a feeding tube, since he was unable to pass the swallow test. He was quite lucid and chipper that evening and stable, so we visited him for a short time Monday morning and then got on the road again to finish the rest of our vacation by driving to our daughter, Shauna's, in Las Vegas and on Wednesday, she and I drove to Salt Lake City to attend the annual Stampin' Up! convention.

Late Monday afternoon, the 3rd, my dad's blood pressure began to spike, then tank, then spike, then tank and he was hallucinating too. The surgeon and his kidney doctor couldn't relate any of these symptoms to his surgery so they called in a neurologist. That doctor decided to do a CAT scan and discovered a cyst that was growing on his brain stem, right where the spinal column meets it. Definitely not a good place at all!! So back to ICU he went.

Shauna and I left the convention and headed back to Las Vegas on Friday morning, I picked up my husband and headed out again for California arriving that evening (Aug. 7). We were able to see my dad for a short time in ICU before visiting hours ended. His blood pressure had been stabilized, but the cyst was causing paralysis on his right and left side, involving arms and legs. It was also responsible for his inability to swallow food properly and for the hallucinations. I asked the nurse in ICU about the issue of fluid in his lungs, that wouldn't that cause pneumonia. And she told me he did have pneumonia. At that point, that is what concerned me the most; my daddy being 85, pneumonia is not a good thing to have at that age.

After a family pow-wow, my mom decided to put him on DNR - do not resusitate - so they moved him back to a private room. He was lucid that evening and making a few funnies for us to enjoy; that was Saturday, August 8. On Sunday the doctor came in and suggested we have hospice make us a visit. I actually didn't realize that hospice care is for patients they don't expect to live past 6 months, but one of my sisters had had some interaction with them in Oregon in the past and had nothing but praise for their care. On Monday they came to the hospital and met with us and we elected to have him moved to hospice. That was planned for 5 pm that evening.

A very moving thing happened just before they came to move him. My 4 sisters, husband and my mom were all in the room with my daddy and three volunteers came into the room with "therapy dogs." Yep - one black lab, one yellow lab and a beautiful Irish setter. They were so sweet and I just started crying. My dad loved dogs and we'd had them through our growing up years. The Irish setter walked to my dad's bedside and began licking his hands. It was so touching. She walked around to the other side of his bed, and licked that hand and fingers too.

He made the transition to hospice care very well and I was impressed at the care they gave him for two days. I was with him until Noon on Tuesday the 11th, and because I had come down with a deep chest cold (and I knew I was absolutely exhausted from all our travels), my hubby suggested we go home to AZ to get well and rest. So I said my goodbyes to my daddy and drove home. Wednesday morning, August 12, my daddy was completely unresponsive and his breathing not good. That afternoon he quietly and peacefully slipped from this earth into the arms of his loving Heavenly Father.

It is very sad to know that until heaven, I won't see him again, but had he survived the pneumonia, he would have been a paraplegic in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. My daddy would not have liked that at all. God knew and He took him home and now he's safe and whole again.

We'll be headed back to California Tuesday morning for services on Wednesday and hopefully drive back to AZ on Thursday afternoon.

Hugs to you all,

Ceci :)