Jack Allen Adams

This was the actual eulogy I read-


I met Jack in the early 90's- while I was working at the Melbourne Waffle House, and he was working for Mike Gatto's, doing late night service, after working all day. We became instant friends,
I counted on seeing him every day. He was always smiling and happy to see me, the minute he pulled up--we would just grin at each other until he had to go back to work. He was goofy and exuberant, and I fell in love with him immediately. He became my life, & our home was very happy.
My dad once told me Jack was the straightest man he knew; there was a right and wrong--with little in between. That is Jack exactly. He knew what was the right thing to do, and did it.
Jack was the hardest working man I ever met. He worked long hours, his hands were incredible; rough and callused. The hands if a man giving an honest days labor and then some. I think that the not being able to work these last 3 years on dialysis were the hardest of his life. He was totally out of his element. It took away his purpose.
Jack took care of us until the day he left. The morning before, he had my computer apart, trying to fix it - three days before that- he was chopping little trees in the driveway and trying to use his exercise machine even though he knew he was too sick. He was amazing.
I want to tell you a little more about his life. He loved little league as a boy, we watched the play-off's and championships every year... He was a cub scout.... He worked for the city of Eau Gallie and then joined the Army. He was a patriot to his core, and loved this country with all his heart. He loved President Bush too - I loved that fact about him. Last year our oldest daughter Jamie registered to vote for the first time and so did Jack - they voted together on Election day - then he put his 'I voted' sticker on the mirror in the bathroom - they were so proud to do that together.
He taught Jackie, our youngest child to shoot a pellet gun, and drive a go-cart. When the girls were little he played video games and playdoh, we spent all night frosting a mauve colored Barney for a Birthday - we just couldn't get it purple enough.
He has an individual relationship unique to each child, he spent so many hours just listening to them chatter - and keeping them safe and protected was everything to him. He was the best father.
Jack loved to hunt and fish and sadly did not have enough time to do either. He did love the ocean - and camping on our boat years ago. On his 40th birthday he made Mathis Bridge open up for our boat - he was so incredidibly proud and happy. We stayed out on the river for a week, he told me it was the only vacation he ever took in his life.
But he loved his work. After Quality Tire Service came into being, I think he felt complete as a man. He was proud to tell people I was a stay at home mom - even when he worked long hours - he never complained. NOT ONE TIME. He told me to take care of our home, and love him, and I always felt lucky to have him.
Jack was the best. He never left the house without getting a kiss, and hollering bye to Jamie and Jackie. On Christmas eve, he took the girls outside to scatter glitter and oats and carrots for the reindeer. The first time he forgot to go pick up all the carrots, Jackie got very upset because the reindeer didn't eat them, every year after that he counted the carrots before - so he could count them "after" the kids went to sleep. For me - every Christmas was special - he asked me to marry him on Christmas Day. He told me he loved me every single day for the last 15 years. I was lucky to have him for a day, let alone 15 years. I wonder where the years have gone, but NEVER how else I could have spent them.
When you leave today - you will see a big pile of banana's. Everyday for the last 3 years, we shared a banana. He couldn't have a whole one because of his dialysis diet. Banana sandwiches with mayonnaise, and banana pudding were his favorite foods, that he sadly, could no longer have. He told me if he died before he got a kidney - to eat banana's and remember him. As you leave take one for Jack.
Thank you all for showing your respect. Know - you once knew someone who was wonderful.

Jack Adams was the most wonderful man- I know what I have lost- I fear I will never recover.