Gerald Eugene Adams

Gerald Eugene Adams passed away on February 14, 2026 at his home, following a heroic battle with cancer.

"Jerry", as he was known by those who loved and knew him, was born on August 16, 1951 at the USAF Hospital at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas to Edward Lee Adams and Doris Phoeba Ledford Adams.

Jerry grew up in Southern California. He graduated from Torrance High School in 1969. Jerry also attended El Camino Community college and obtained an Associate's degree there. While at El Camino, Jerry worked with a teacher who was from Norway. The professor invited Jerry to visit him in Norway over the summer, which he did. This began Jerry's lifelong interest in Norway. Up until just months before his death, it was not unusual to find Jerry studying or reading in Norwegian, as he taught himself the language of a place he had great fondness for.

Near the end of the Vietnam War, Jerry served in the United States Air Force. Jerry was an Airman First Class in the Regular Air Force. His primary specialty was Intelligence Operations. He was honorably discharged from military service on September 11, 1974.

Following his discharge from the Air Force, Jerry visited with his professor friend who was from Norway. They discussed where Jerry might continue his education to complete his Bachelor of Arts Degree. The professor recommended to Jerry that he might check out Brigham Young University, as he felt Jerry's values and personality would be a good fit for that University. Jerry would later say that when he stepped foot on campus, he immediately felt as though he were coming home.

Following his graduation from BYU, Jerry took a job in Las Vegas, NV. It was there that Jerry joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on December 16, 1984. Jerry remained a member of the church for the rest of his life. Jerry was a thoughtful, humble, and quiet soul. He lived his religion in much the same way, just quietly studying and living his religious convictions without fanfare, but for those who knew him well, his love of Christ and Christ's teachings were apparent in his demeanor and his actions towards others. Jerry was a man of his word, and dedicated his actions in service for those he cared about.

Following a short time in Las Vegas, Jerry returned to California, where he met and married Marguerite Irene Vaughan in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on January 18, 1986. Jerry and Irene made their home in Southern California for the next few years. They both had a strong love of learning, and interest in the world around them. Together they traveled extensively to most of the continents of the world so they could see this beautiful planet with their own eyes.

Jerry and Irene would then return to BYU to pursue their Master's Degrees. Jerry ended up earning both a Master's of Science, and also a Master's in Library Science. Following graduation, Jerry took a job at the BYU campus library, where he worked for 10 years as a Maps and Geography Librarian. Irene also worked as a librarian there until she passed away from cancer on April 19, 2011.

Following Irene's death, Jerry retired from the BYU Library, and moved to Rapid City, SD to live near family. A few years after Irene passed, Jerry met and married Jana Beth Ormond O'Neil. They were married in Casper, WY on August 5, 2013. As Jana was teaching for the Natrona County School District at the time, they made their home in Casper. This marriage also brought Jerry the opportunity to step into a fatherhood role for the 1st time, as he became a step-father to Jana's 4 daughters. Jana's youngest daughter lived with the couple for a few years until her own marriage, and Jana's 3rd daughter, who has special needs, lived with the couple for the majority of their marriage. It was a lot to take on, not just a wife, but also children, but Jerry did it masterfully, and without complaint.

Upon moving to Casper, Jerry was soon bored by retirement and living in a new community with no ties while Jana was working, so he began volunteering at the Natrona County Library. This would lead to a job, as Jerry worked an additional 10 years at the Natrona County Library on the circulation desk and doing cataloging. Many people referred to Jerry as "that tall, kind man" who worked at the library.

Jerry was an avid reader. He particularly enjoyed non-fiction books related to history, and fictional mysteries and spy novels. You would often find Jerry reading 2 or 3 different books at the same time, in order to feed all of his imagination and interests.

Jerry was also an avid sports fan throughout his life, when he wasn't reading, his spare time would often be spent watching a sporting event on TV, or sitting at his computer looking up sports scores or statistics. Although Jerry would watch just about any sporting event available, his favorites were the Little League World Series, and College Football, especially the games where BYU or USC were playing. Jerry said Professional Sports were fine, but with players who were less polished, you would see them making more mistakes or taking more chances that actually made the game more exciting and unpredictable to watch.

Jerry will be missed by all who knew him for his dry wit, incredible sense of understated humor, and his love and devotion to those he loved, and mostly, for his kindness. Jerry was always kind to everyone he met.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Edward L. and Doris P. Adams, and by his 1st wife, Irene. Jerry is survived by 1 brother, Edward L. Adams, Jr. (Georgia) of Winthrop, WA, 1 sister, Jill Linda Adams Mills (Craig), of Rapid City, SD, his wife, Jana, of Casper, his 4 step-daughters, Megan McLean of Newton, KS, Erin Cunningham (Nathan) of Sparks, NV, McKenna O'Neil, and Kiley Key (Kyle), both of Casper, WY, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry absolutely hated being the center of attention, and because of that, he requested that no one hold a funeral in his honor. Therefore, the family will take his cremains to Rapid City, SD and bury him next to Irene at the Mountain View Mount Cavalry Cemetery, with a brief graveside service at a future date.

The family would like to thank all of the health care workers, providers, nurses, and friends who helped them take such good care of Jerry during the final stages of his life.

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