Paul Munroe Adams was born near Madison, Indiana on November 19, 1922 to Corbie and Grace Munroe Adams. He grew up close to the Ohio River with his sister, Edith Alice Adams (Fox). As a boy, he had a dog-named Boo and his father had a horse named Beauty.

As a young teenager, Paul worked at a CCC (Civilian Conversation Corps) camp, which gave him the opportunity to travel. He moved to Indianapolis in the 1940's and did mostly bakery work. He retired from the Kroger Bakery in 1983.

On September 22, 1951, he married Blanche Marie Davie (Adams) in Indianapolis. I, their daughter, Grace Marie Adams, was born on January 16, 1953. Dad loved animals as a child and during his adult years, he bought a pony and named it Beauty. His last dog was named Teddy.

Another of Dad's loves was country-style food, especially beans and cornbread. One of his fondest memories was going to Milan, Indiana to visit his Uncle Hallie and Aunt Nellie Gitner's farm. Aunt Nellie always made Dad's favorite dessert, which was lemon meringue pie.

Dad also enjoyed genealogy and attending family reunions. He was particularly proud of his Adams family listing in the Gray genealogy book. Dad's connection to the Gray family was through Great Great Grandfather James Adams' marriage to Elizabeth Gray. James and Elizabeth first came to Indiana in 1818 from Bath County, Kentucky. They were early Indiana settlers.

The Gray family reunion was held at the Pleasant Ridge Church near Madison, Indiana. Outside, one sees the magnificent valley from the hill upon which the church stands. By the church, is the cemetery in which Dad's father, grandparents, and great grandparents are buried.

During the day of the reunion, everyone enjoyed a pitch-in dinner and a special service in the sanctuary. The service was very spiritual and family orientated. At one time, Dad got up and sang "How Great Thou Art" with a men's quartet. (Dad was not known as a singer!) Also, it was mentioned that if all the descendants of Joseph and Henrietta Bright Gray were to attend the reunion the church would overflow into the surrounding area.

It thrilled Dad when at a family reunion, others would say, "Why you're Corbie Adams boy!" He once commented after a family reunion, "This is like Heaven to me." Indeed, it was!

We had a family tradition to state that we were descendants of President John Adams. While we could not prove any direct link, it encouraged our interest in the study of family history.

Dad and I were very close! I especially have fond memories of my dad helping in the Free Methodist Church's children ministries when I was a child. His participation helped my spiritual growth. Further, I was impressed when I saw my parents baptized into the Free Methodist Church. On the way home after Tuesday night meeting, we would stop for hamburgers at Burger Chef.

In his later years, the roles reversed and I took care of him as he had taken care of me. At times, there were traumatic emergencies as Dad's health was not good. Many times, I would go to the hospital chapel to pray. I praise the Lord for seeing me through the difficult time that I experienced when I lost my father.

That Sunday morning, I had just called the nursing home. Five minutes later, the nursing staff called back to tell me that Dad was gone. Before Dad passed away, a nurse told me that he said he was ready to go to Heaven. I hope it is just like the family reunion at Pleasant Ridge Church!