James Loren Adams

James "Jim/Jimmy" Loren Adams passed away at home in Boynton Beach of heart failure on April 1st, 2020 at the age of 77.  He was born September 29, 1942 in Tampa, Florida to James Carlton Adams and Lillian Beryl Eakin Adams.

His parents moved to Lake Worth, FL and then to Miami, FL where he attended Kendall Elementary School through 6 ^th grade and Southwest Junior High School for 7 ^th and 8 ^th grade.  He graduated from Palmetto High School in 1961 in its first graduating class.

Jim was a sergeant in the Air Force Reserves from 1964 to 1970.  During this time, he took classes at Palm Beach Junior College (now Palm Beach State College) and graduated in 1969 with an Associate of Science degree.  He also attended classes at Florida Atlantic University.

Jim worked as an electrician on ships at the Port of Palm Beach until 1969.  He then found employment in Delray Beach with Florida Power & Light as a design technician in the engineering distribution department.   He stayed with FPL for 35 years until his retirement in 2004.  During his tenure, he held positions as a service planner, lead designer in the Boca Raton office, distribution planner, and relieved as crew supervisor in the Boynton Beach yard.  Jim also participated on travelling teams to restore service after hurricanes and storms and at one point was sent to North Carolina to help after a blizzard.

When Jim was a child his father taught him about boats and sailing.  As a young man he and his father sailed to an uninhabited island off the Florida Keys and camped for a week. His love of being on the water continued throughout his life. He held a captain's license and made good use of it.  He enjoyed deep sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling.  He also liked being on Florida's freshwater lakes, especially, Lake Istokpoga in Sebring, Florida.

Jim liked to travel.  As a young father, he and his wife Ronnie, took the family camping throughout the western United States, some eastern states, and Florida.   The family also frequented the Bahamas under Jimmy's command on his boats the "So What" and the "Sandpiper."  Jimmy did not complain when his son in law, James, bought a boat which allowed Jimmy to just sit back and relax.  In addition to motorized craft, Jimmy also ventured a trip white water rafting with cousins, brothers, friends and family.  European cruises with friends were squeezed in along the way as well.

While he was quick to travel whenever and wherever anyone suggested, one of his favorite places to land was his cherished Sebring.  There he would take out the pontoon boat, attend "golf cart" social hour with neighbors, go antiquing, or just sit on the front porch overlooking the lake with his beloved dog Dusty.

Jimmy's interests were varied.  He participated in civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club and professional organizations such as IEEE (the engineering organization associated with technological innovation and excellence).   Being an engineer, he loved to tinker…especially on his boat motors.  He even took classes to "better his craft" on engine maintenance and repair.  At one point, he and a friend co-owned a small boat engine repair shop called Sandpiper Marine.

His artistic interests included opera and classical music.  Physically, he looked very much like Ernest Hemmingway and combined his love of the Keyes with trips to Key West to participate in the Hemingway contest.  He didn't win but he thoroughly enjoyed the competition!

Jim had a history of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.  In 2016, he suffered his first stroke.  Initially he lost a good bit of his mobility, sight, and communication skills, but he was a fighter.  He worked at his speech and movement and still made the effort to get out to important events.

Jim attended and was active in Cason United Methodist Church in Delray Beach, Florida up until the time of his stroke.  He loved to sing in the choir and held many volunteer positions including Lay Leader.  Jim was a spiritual man and did not mind sharing his faith with you.  Long after his stroke, his friends from Men's Bible Study made a point to visit and include him in their luncheon meetings.

Whether you were Jim's friend or family, you knew him to be kind, loving, and thoughtful.  He always had time to talk and share experiences.  More often than not you'd be the recipient of his beautiful smile (eyes squinting to the point of extinction) and hearty laugh.  You inevitably left an encounter with Jimmy feeling better than when you entered.

Jim is survived by his wife of 44 years, Veronica "Ronnie" Frazee Adams.  Jim and Ronnie met on a blind date which was set up by mutual friends.  They married within 6 months and the rest, as they say…is history.

He is also survived by two daughters, Cynthia "Cindy" (James) Wiggins, and Teresa "Tracy" (Kevin Maher) Adams; step-daughter Jill Parrish (Steve) Burress; grandchildren, Terrance Wiggins, Danielle Hilburn, Timothy Burress, and Stephanie Nicole Burress; and 2 great-grandchildren, KayLynn Burress and Lillian Long.  Jim is also survived by siblings Gerald Adams and Kenneth (Ina) Adams.

Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, a memorial service will be delayed until it is safe to gather.  The Lorne and Sons Funeral Home website ( www.lorneandsons.com ) will be updated with the particulars when available.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you make donations to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.