John Ellison Adams, age 69, passed away suddenly on Nov. 30, 2006.

Born in Queens, N.Y., John grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y., and just celebrated his 50th high school reunion in May.

After graduation, he worked for King Features Syndicate in New York City and later served in the Air Force as a lifeguard and artist/illustrator.

The Air Force brought him to California where he married for the first time and had two children, Mike and Kathy.

After his divorce, he married Gail, acquired three more sons, Shawn, Kevin and Eric and moved to Whidbey Island in 1979. Living on Whidbey fulfilled his dream.

John worked as an illustrator all his life and was so pleased with his retirement when he could finally be a “renaissance man”: building the perfect shed, painting old-time football players, sailing, bird watching, astronomy, politics, driving his new convertible, and helping to build a new Unitarian Universalist church.

John’s big heart, generous spirit, wry sense of humor, and love for all will live on in all of us.

He leaves behind his wife Gail, son Mike (New York), daughter Kathy (California), stepsons Shawn (California), Kevin (New York), and Eric (Minnesota), brother Hank (Connecticut), as well as numerous extended family and friends.

We miss you, dearest husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. May you rest in peace.

The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the small chapel building at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

A reception will be held after the service.

Donations in John’s honor to the UUCWI building fund, Hearts & Hammers, or Friends of Friends would be appreciated.