Robert Dean “Pete” Adams, 96, Gardner, Kansas passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025 at his home. A Celebration of Life will be at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas on Wednesday, February 5 at 7pm. Visitation with the family will precede the service from 6-7pm at the funeral home.

Pete was born in Joplin, Missouri on January 7, 1929 to Chancey Carl and Vonnee Lee (Hanger) Adams. He graduated from Galena High School in 1946 and earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. He married Judith Ann Brookshire, Joplin, Missouri on August 7, 1956 in Miami, Oklahoma. They were married for 68 years. Pete was a Gardner Edgerton High School business teacher for 37 years and was a United States Navy Veteran, serving in active duty from 1950-1952 during the Korean Conflict followed by the Naval Reserves. He was a member of Restoration Church, Gardner, Kansas.

Pete & Judy made Gardner their home in 1957 and have lived there ever since. Pete loved any kind of sporting event, especially Kansas University athletics and any kind of Gardner Edgerton High School sporting event. He would watch KU football and basketball games and write down scores and details in his notebook for every game. He also loved to go to Lawrence on Saturday afternoons for KU football games and had season tickets for many years. He attended GEHS sporting events of all kinds in any season. At the high school he also enjoyed running the clock and scoreboard for the teams, keeping stats and was a scout for the football team. He also loved to attend sporting events of his children and grandchildren.

Pete & Judy loved to camp and travel the country and in their later years they enjoyed taking bus trips to see the country. Judy had never been out of the 4 state area when they were married and it was Pete’s goal for her to see all 50 states. Over the years they made it to all states except Alaska. Pete also loved to work around the yard and had a garden until his early 90s. Judy likes to say he never met a stranger, as he was kind and would make conversation with anybody he came in contact with. She would often look out as he was working in his garden and see him chatting across the fence with a stranger walking down the street.

Pete is survived by his wife Judy; sons: Robert Gregory “Pete” (Sandra) Adams, Gardner, Kansas; Douglas Stanley (Laura) Adams, Fair Grove, Missouri; Daniel Thomas (Leanne) Adams, Gardner, Kansas and Stephen Reece Adams, Gardner, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Billy, Chauncey and Jack, grandson Israel Thomas Adams, great grandson Kyler Joel Adams and foster daughter Margaret “Peggy” Wahl.

Memorial contributions may be given to Restoration Church, Gardner, Kansas or Tunnel to Towers. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com.