Kenneth Doyle Adams

Kenneth Doyle Adams was called by the angels to leave his earthly family and join the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of Christmas Day. Kenneth was born near Eddy in Bell County to Walter Lee and Katie Lelene (Miracle) Adams.  

Kenneth graduated as salutatorian from Lorena High School in 1952.  He jokingly pointed out that there were only six members of the graduating class so maybe he was pretty smart or just lucky.  His loving mother had died the previous November and had encouraged him to find his own path in life while always showing kindness for others.  He moved to Alice to join his aunt, Ruby Floyd, and sisters Patsy and Jeannette.  He served in the U.S. Army while in Germany, still considered an employee of Southwestern Bell, restoring communications systems until he was discharged in 1958.   

Kenneth met Edna when he returned to Alice.  She was a switchboard operator and he worked in the office downstairs.  Their first date was to an Alice Coyote football game.  Their romance blossomed and they married, bought a home and raised their family.  Kenneth and Edna celebrated 63 years of marriage on September 29, 2024.

Kenneth worked with the telephone company for 42 years before retiring in 1994.  His colleagues respected his knowledge and work ethic.   Famously, he was able to show one of the project managers from Dallas that he could make the equipment work – with just two toothpicks.

Kenneth was an assistant coach on little league teams.  He was an Optimist Club member for many years, serving as Club President and receiving the Optimist of the Year award in 1995.  He always made sure the Optimist Club concession stand was stocked and ready to go.  He volunteered to work the BBQ fundraisers and many other events with the Optimist Club.  

Our family expanded with annual camping trips, starting with a first trip to Garner State Park with the Camp Fire Girls.  Over the years, our group expanded to 40+ members and moved to River Bend on the Frio.  Kenneth adopted all and looked forward to seeing his “River Bend” family, trying out his latest inventions, the conversations he’d have, and seeing his other kids grow up, marry, and have families of their own.

Kenneth began donating blood when the first blood drive bus came to Alice and only stopped when he had to do so for medical reasons.  He worked at the Alice Food Pantry – picking up the items collected at the schools, getting the boxes from the liquor store and packing those boxes for the families.  He only stopped when he broke his ankle.  

Kenneth and Edna began woodworking in the 1980’s, enjoying the work - the precise cuts and meticulous sanding.  There were many t-shirt ties and howling “Coyotes” produced in their workshop.  He enjoyed gardening, but eventually focused his efforts on how to grow the best tomatoes and serranos that he could.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters and their spouses: Joyce Schaeper (Wallace), Patsy Fischer (George), Jeannette Peters (Willie); his sisters: Nadine Hurt and Sylvia Rowe; Father and mother in law Earl and Oeader Jackson;Brother and sister in law Johnny and Pamela Jackson; brother-in-law Johnny Peters and nephews:  Darrell Lane Fischer and Floy Wesley Rowe.

Kenneth is survived by the love of his life, Edna E. Adams, and his children, Karolyn Adams-Tenorio (Robert) of Kyle, Texas and David (JoAnn) of Alice, Texas.  He is also survived by his youngest sister, Linda Peters, of Waco, Texas as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Friday, January 3, 2024 at Holmgreen Mortuary. A Graveside service will follow at 1:00 PM at Alice Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or local charities that support the youth in the community.

The family would like to thank the N.S.C.L Inc. home health nurses that took the time to answer all of his questions.  Thank you to the Christus Health/Alice staff and nurses, and the Altus hospice nurses that treated Kenneth D. Adams and his family with dignity and respect.

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Doyle Adams, please visit our floral store.