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John A. Adams, born November 25, 1926 in Tujunga, CA, passed away peacefully at home in Tucson, AZ, on December 22, 2019. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, John was also a fiercely loyal friend and highly esteemed colleague. The definition of a self-made man, John served in the Pacific Theater in WWII. He was recognized for his efforts on behalf of his fellow shipmates when the seaplane tender on which he served, the USS St. George, was hit by a kamikaze plane in May, 1945 during the Okinawa operation. John was among the best of the 'Greatest Generation.'

After leaving the navy in 1948, John began a long, and highly successful career in sales and marketing. John would often refer to himself as a 'salesman from Porterville;' this self-deprecation belied his talent and foresight, and the innovative and lasting impact he had on the direct marketing industry. John started as a partner in the San Francisco firm MacMillan and Adams, which was sold to the Life Circulation Company in 1958. From there he traveled to Chicago and then onto the New York metropolitan area, where he started his climb in the firm, ultimately becoming the President and Chief Operating Officer of DialAmerica Marketing, a pioneer in the direct to consumer marketing industry. John's impact on the direct marketing business extended beyond his role at DialAmerica; he was also actively involved in the operations of the Direct Marketing Association (now the Data & Marketing Association) and served on the board of the Direct Marketing Education Foundation. John was also an early advocate of what we now identify as 'CSR.' His commitment to 'giving back' led to long-term relationships between DialAmerica and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the New York Police Athletic League, and the Special Olympics. Through John's efforts, millions of dollars were raised for these groups. He was recognized formally by all of these organizations but the privilege that moved and honored him most was when he was chosen to lead-in a delegation of athletes at the 1987 Special Olympic World Summer Games at the University of Notre Dame.

Chicago was also where John met his life-mate and most enduring love, Rosemary (née Campagna). John and Rosemary met on 21 August 1958, and married on 22 August 1959. Rosemary maintains that it was love at first sight -- seeing them together, this would be clear to even the most casual of observers. John and Rosemary were always aligned, always in sync, always deeply in love. They truly were story book.

After 36 years on the east coast, John and Rosemary retired to Tucson, AZ -- the wild, wild west that truly spoke to John's heart and soul. Fulfilling a life-long dream, John learned to ride horses, fully embracing the cowboy sensibility and loving the time spent on the trails with his equine companions Hat, Chance, and Stomper.

In 2006 John was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. John met this challenge as he did every other; with grit, determination, fortitude, and wry humor. He worked with his doctor's, he read the science, he financially supported the research and experimentation, and he accepted when he could not overcome the disease's limitations. He rode as long as he could, he accompanied his fellow riders as long as he could, he sat by the campfire as long as he could, and finally, when he could no longer do any of these things, he listened to his comrades' stories of the trails.

He loved his life.

While John finally succumbed to complications from Parkinson's (and other factors), it did not define him. What did define him was his insistence on living his life despite the disease. Those closest to him noticed that while it was 'hard for John to get the words out,' the knowledge, the intellect, the perspective, and the humor were always there. John, always a fervent devotee of science, believed that, ultimately, a cure would be found for Parkinson's. He had accepted that it likely would not come in time for him. But he was ever hopeful, ever dedicated, and ever committed to the ongoing support of the research that would one day eliminate the disease.

John's loved ones hope that you will be as motivated as he was, and offer your support today for continuing research to cure Parkinson's.

On behalf of John, thank you.