Daniel Lee Adams finally found a foolproof way to avoid hanging the Christmas lights.  He died unexpectedly of natural causes on December 4, 2025, at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio, at the age of 71.  We would have preferred that he just said no, but as a man committed to service, he took the best of routes and rushed to serve the Man Upstairs instead.

Born March 11, 1954, in Zanesville, Ohio, he was the youngest child of the late Arthur Leroy Adams and Clarice Eileen Williams and a graduate of Tri-Valley High School in Dresden.  An inquisitive child, Dad is remembered by his siblings for his creative projects.  With the help of his childhood friend, Jack, he purchased and built a blue canoe from a kit.  They loved taking it out on river adventures together.  He developed a lifelong love of chess and studied chess strategy using library books.  Most uniquely, Dad even taught his pet chicken, Pepito, to turn pages of his book for him by hiding food between the pages.

A onetime student at Ohio University, he met and married Mary Ann Stout during their university studies.  Three daughters followed in quick succession and a son came fashionably late.  For the love and care of us, they ultimately sacrificed their university education but never quit in their quest for knowledge.  Dad and Mom both loved reading and did so avidly.  It was often Dad who read our bedtime stories to us and developed the unique ability to do so asleep, prompted by impatient pokes and jabs to signal the change of a page.  As a lover of classics, he bored us with Aesop, he delighted us with Oz, and he landed us in therapy from our nightmares from Ali Baba. His annual reading of Dicken's A Christmas Carol was perhaps our fondest Christmas tradition. He and Mom were a perfect pair— she was the spark that lit up the house while he provided calm stability and wisdom.  Married for 51 years at the time of his passing, they exemplified endurance and love.

Dad retired in 2009 from Ohio University, where he worked in building maintenance, earning the ironic nickname "Flash" by his coworkers for his calm, steady pace.  Dad deeply valued neighborliness and demonstrated this by using his professional skills to help repair countless homes of those around him, always free of charge.  With all the free time that came with retirement, he enthusiastically took up bee-keeping.  He loved the nuances of caring for bees, with little worry for actually collecting the honey.  He was excited to learn that his granddaughter is carrying on his passion.

Dad was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in The Plains, Ohio, where he volunteered in various capacities in its lay leadership ranging from choir member to branch president to the high council.  A man of few words, Dad powerfully spoke sermons through his actions.  He quietly visited old friends and the forgotten both informally and through church.  Dad loved to sing and brought us with him deep into the woods to sing Christmas carols to the elderly so they would not be alone. His example taught us to be aware of the struggles of others.

Perhaps one of his favorite ways to serve was as a Troop Master of Boy Scout Troop 77.  He often returned home from activities and campouts battered but radiant.  Nothing was better than cracked ribs from midnight football or near death by canoe with his troop!

Family mattered most to Dad and he exemplified this through countless simple ways.  He sought out unique cultural activities for us ranging from orchestra in the park to snail racing (really!). He was a devoted grandfather of six, actively finding ways to bond with each grandchild including library visits, walking the dog, riding bikes, and playing in the sandbox.  He gave thoughtful gifts with meaning, was genuinely curious about our interests, and even made time to whoop his grandson in chess…repeatedly.  Above all else, he showed his love through service. He made space for us in his home, rearranged his days without hesitation, and showed up whenever we called. He was there during the long nights with our newborns, giving us rest and reassurance. Through it all, he offered calm guidance and wisdom, finding deep meaning in caring for his family.

Dad wasn't rich, nor was he ambitious, but he was honorable, kind, and trustworthy.  We look forward with faith in Jesus Christ to that perfect day that we will be together again forever.

Dan is survived by his wife Mary A. Stout Adams; three daughters, Jennifer Adelle (Daniel) Kresky of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Amber Elizabeth (John) Zuccarello of Geneva, NY and Sharon Aileen (Jonathan) Bott of Beautiful, Utah; a son, Isaac Adams of The Plains; six grandchildren, Helena Vucci, Rebeka Kresky, Kayleen Kresky Mable-Johnson, Ryu Bott, Sakura Bott and Kohaku Bott; a sister, Carolyn (Jim) Harley of Chesapeake, Virginia; a brother, Neal (Paulette) Adams of Spring Branch, Texas; sisters in law and brothers in law, Barbara Vagnoni of The Plains, Bill Stout of Delaware, Ohio, Jim (Karen) Stout of Mansfield, Bob (Brenda) Stout of Porterville and Mike Stout of Athens; also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 7795 Lemaster Road, The Plains on Sunday, December 6, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to BYU PathwayWorldwide c/o  Philanthropies 1450 N. University Ave.,
Provo, UT 84604.  Local arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.  Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.