Thomas Melvin Adams

Thomas Melvin Adams died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 79 on June 7, 2026, in Georgetown, South Carolina. When anyone remembers Tom, they might remember him as a veteran, a historian, a professional golfer, an ice skater, or a friend to all abandoned kittens, lovingly serving as a cat foster. His family, however, remembers a dedicated husband, brother, stepfather, and grandfather, always ready to spin a good yarn. Tom was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, most recently as a parishioner at Precious Blood of Christ in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Born in Philadelphia on October 11, 1946, to Lewis and June Berg Adams, Tom was the third and only boy of nine children. Tom grew up in Kodiak, Alaska before moving to Palo Alto, California. After Tom served in the Vietnam War, Tom and Kathy, still living in Palo Alto were fated to fall in love at the ice-skating rink (his elegance on the ice proved irresistible), and their 47-year marriage has been a testament to their faith and dedication to one another. Throughout his life, Tom enjoyed traveling the world, playing golf, restoring old cars, and watching the lives of his step-children and grandkids develop. Despite losing much of his mobility in his last years, Tom lived his life with relentless curiosity and insatiable need for knowledge, which has benefitted so many who have had the opportunity to sit down with him. Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy Kathleen (Kathy) Adams; his stepchildren, David Randall Dannenberg (Clare) and Ross Alan Dannenberg (Meredith); his five grandchildren, Houlton Alexander Dannenberg, Isabella Mercedes Dannenberg, Samuel Jacobs Dannenberg, Nicholas Smith Dannenberg, and Ian Whitely Dannenberg; six of his eight sisters, Gail Adams Parker, Melissa Adams, Junie Williams, Paulette Adams, Luanne Adams Knox, Miriam (Bonnie) Adams (predeceased by Valerie Adams Smith and Leonnie Adams) and eighteen nieces and nephews. Mass of Resurrection will be held at 2:00 pm on June 16 at St. Mary Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Georgetown, South Carolina, with a repast to follow, Inurnment will follow at a later date at Benedictine Sisters of Virginia in Bristow, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to All 4 Paws in Pawley’s Island South Carolina.

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Thomas Melvin Adams

June 7, 2026