In Memory of Kenneth Adams

Kenneth Ray Adams, 78, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at his home in Panola, Oklahoma.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 1, 2024 at Waldrop Funeral Home.

The funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at the Panola Baptist Church in Panola Oklahoma with Rev. Tony Randol officiating. A burial will follow at Damon Valley Cemetery in Wilburton, Oklahoma under the direction of Waldrop Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Broyles, Billy McCool, Glen Flener, Gordan Bell, John Forwoodson, and Jerod Brown.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Brown, Leonard Ashbaugh, Watie Odom, Randy Langham, and James Thomas.

Kenneth was born to Curtis Adams and Ettie (Morgan) Adams on March 6, 1945 in Boggy Hollow /Red Oak, Oklahoma. He graduated from Red Oak High School in 1963 and married Shirley Jane McMaster on June 28th of that same year. Together they had two sons.

Kenneth served in the National Guard and was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. He was a faithful member of the Panola Baptist Church. During his life he was employed at Kiamichi Electric, Franklin Electric, had various business ventures, and he, along with his sons, started Adams Construction. He was a seasoned equipment operator and could fix just about anything. He played the guitar and never missed the opportunity to call his loved ones to sing “Happy Birthday”. He loved his family more than anything and held his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on a pedestal.

He is survived by his sons, Jason Adams and his wife, Rhonda of Panola and Justin Adams and his wife, Erin of Wilburton; his grandchildren, Calib Adams, Casey Moody and her husband, Keaton, Tyler Adams, Emily Adams, and Sarah Adams; his great-grandchildren, Kolter Moody, Klancie Moody, and Kodie Moody; his sister, Nelda Derryberry of Panola; his brother-in-law, Eira Derryberry of Panola; and numerous nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Ettie Adams; his granddaughter, Codie Miaha Adams; his sisters, Wanda Elaine Derryberry and Katheryn Fike and her husband, Jack; his brother, Ted West Adams and his wife, Myrtle; and his brother-in-law, Albert Lee Derryberry.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of Kenneth’s special caretakers; the medical staff who treated him over the years, the Choctaw Nation employees who strived to make his life easier, the employees of Roy’s Cardinal Food Store who would graciously shop for him, along with the many citizens within the community that helped or visited with him daily.

Kenneth’s life was a testament to the power of love and hard work. He and his contagious smile will be deeply missed.