Lifetime resident of West Paducah, KY and proud Winter Texan of Pharr, TX, 84-year-old Jimmy Adams gained his eternal reward on Monday, January 12, 2026 in the sunny Rio Grande Valley on a day that reached 78 degrees, as he would proudly tell you. This was his way of not-so-subtlety relishing in his escape from the frigid winter climate of Western KY.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years Carolyn (Caliguri) Adams and his parents Rudy and Varnie (Jones) Adams. He is survived by his loving children David (Robin) Adams of Paducah, KY, Krista (Joey) Parker of Brownsville, TN, Lori Lockhart of Lewisville, TX, and Scott Campbell of Walker, LA. He leaves his beloved grandchildren, Emily Parker of Gulfport, MS and Garrison Parker of Jackson, TN, to carry on his love of wordplay and well-timed comments. Jim is also survived by two sisters: Brenda (David) Archer of Arlington, TN and Ann (Burnie) Chambers of McKinney, TX, and one brother, Larry (Pam) Adams of West Paducah, KY. He also had many very special nieces, nephews, grand and great-grandchildren.
Jim was an industrial maintenance mechanic for Westvaco, trained horologist, Mexican food connoisseur, careful steward, model of humility, master mower of the lawn, and dedicated husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. Every apprentice he mentored called Jim the smartest man they ever knew; however, his humility ensured that every bit of knowledge he shared was provided to better equip others. Jim had a deep understanding of mechanics that began by working on cars and the family’s farm equipment, where he learned many lessons on the value of hard work and strong faith.
Jim was a world-class tinkerer. His logical thought-process and natural inquisitiveness led into many hobbies throughout his life. He loved both playing and watching baseball, car racing, repairing antique clocks and watches, restoring- or, more accurately, collecting- International Harvester tractors, reading product manuals- whether or not he owned the product, searching flea markets and yard sales for forgotten treasures, and learning something new. Jim found great satisfaction in taking something others found useless or worn out and returning it to a state of usefulness.
While the depth of his mechanical knowledge was immense, perhaps even more impressive was the breadth of subjects about which he was acquainted. He was well-traveled and knew the route of every interstate and highway in America. One was hard-pressed to find a subject of which Jim could not share at least a morsel of knowledge, yet he rarely shared unless asked. However, if ever one shared a new piece of information with him, he was quick to say, “Well, you taught me something and you should learn something new every day!” He once told his very inquisitive young son, “You should never be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions is the way you learn.”
Although Jim may have gotten frustrated that traffic lights always seemed to be red or that a dropped tool always rolled to the center of the space below the car, a phenomenon he coined “Adams Luck,” he was never too busy to help someone. Whether a family member, child, or friend of a friend, he took time to assist without complaint. His heart of service was displayed through builders’ mission trips and Kentucky Disaster Relief response calls (including an extensive response during the Hurricane Katrina disaster) along with countless repair services, pieces of advice given, and acts of kindness extended without even the expectation of a thank you. Jim saw not only the worth in items, but also the worth in people.
Please join the family and friends to celebrate a well-lived life of service. Visitation will be held Friday, January 23rd from 4pm until 7pm and funeral services Saturday, Jan 24th at 11am with Rev. Jonathan Althoff officiating at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, 120 Memorial Drive, Paducah, KY 42001, followed by interment at Palestine Cemetery in West Paducah.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy be made to Palestine United Methodist Church 7925 Ogden Landing Road West Paducah, KY 42086.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
