Vance Adams

ln childhood, he loved the outdoors. He and a friend would often camp beside the creek near his family home, Vance developed an interest in machines, motors, and wrenching. He enjoyed his Dodge/Chrysler automobiles - even being part owner in his own drag race car before he was old enough to drive. Others would have to drive it to the track.

His family cars through the years were kept immaculately clean, were discreetly powerful, but were always driven sensibly on the street.

At the age of 19, newly married, he began studying with Jehovah's witnesses.  His teacher, Allan Foster, age 16, with Allan's sister, Joyce, helped Vance and Judy come to love Jehovah's organization. lts history and modern development really touched Vance's heart. A couple of years later, Vance symbolized his dedication to Jehovah by baptism in the summer of 1968.

Todd was born that year and the young couple faced challenges in his development when the medical community were not supportive or positive about his future. Despite a complex family scene, Vance led his family in spiritual activities. He was active ln the door-to-door ministry where he and Judy would carry Todd, push him in his stroller and later in his wheelchair. The three have worked well together now for 55 years.

Once appointed an elder, he filled a variety of congregational roles. He served as the Theocratic Ministry School Overseer for decades.  As a real family man, he often served as the minister guiding young couples and performing their marriage ceremonies.

Year after year he would arrange for a charter bus so that families from Lisbon and surrounding congregations could attend summer District Conventions in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. While at the District Conventions, Vance would oversee a refreshment stand.

When the Coraopolis Assembly Hall was being built, he first served as a night watchman; then in First Aid, later leading both departments throughout the construction. Full meals were served at the Coraopolis Assembly Hall at early assemblies. Vance was responsible for making cole slaw. After meal service was no longer being provided, he coordinated laundry - washing, drying, and folding all the cleaning cloths into the evening after the convention ended. He later served in the Accounting Department. Once again, he and his family were in a department that stayed late until the doors closed at the end of the Assembly.

Young people of the past in the Lisbon congregation recall the hiking events Vance planned - He was teaching ... about frogs, leaves, recognizing trees by their bark,

 nd about other creations as he hiked through the woods for several hours wlth 10- 15 teenagers, each year in Beaver Creek State Park or at areas around Scenic Vista, Vance wore a many-pocketed vest containing snacks, trinkets, trail mix and other surprises for the youth. On occasion Todd accompanied , the group in his wheelchair, but if the trailwas too rough, he along wlth hls mom and others would see them off, then awalt them with hot dogs and fixln's at the other end of the hike. Phillip and Lisa Smith arranged to take Lisa's parents and Philllp's mother on a trip to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstonq and South Dakota's Black Hills with two motor homes. They included Vanie, Judy, and Todd and thelr chlhuahua, Cindy. Tlrls was the /trip of a llfetime" * a hlghllght of thelr llves. Vance had an eye for preclous and unique seml-preclous stones. He often surprlsed Judy wlth a box - another strand or broach, perhaps wlth matchlng earrlngs and bracelet. For Todd lt would be a new unlque pen. Vance worked a variety of Jobs as a young man. But ln hls early 30,s he opened Frontlers Unlimlted, a retallshop wlth outdoor gear. He became known as an expert and prernier vendor in the buslness he developed and contlnued for 44 years. To anyonewho speaks of Vance, he ls desciibed as always lovlng, full of wlt and as a person who felt compasslon and demonstrated concern for others. When a young sister started a new job as an all-night clerk at a small retall business, vance and Judy parked outside all nlght, because of thelr concern for her safety, Thls was her 13t and only nlght there. She didn't know of their gesture irnill years later. Others also descrlbe hls and Judy's presence as a comfort to them durlng distresslng times. Vance regularly spoke to others of 'the real life,' to come ln paradlse ln God,s new world where every day will be a pleasure for him, hls famlly and for allwho develop a love for and loyalty to our God Jehovah. 

 VANCE ADAMS, 77, passed away peacefully at Salem Regional Medical Center, Salem, Ohio, early Sunday morning September 10, 2023. Vance was born December 6, 1945, in Salem Ohio, the son of the late Charles Adams and Maxine Neal Adams. He married Judy Kapp, his wife of 58 years, on February 20, 1965. Together they have one son, Todd.

First with his parents, and later his bride and son, Vance made his home in Lisbon, Ohio, throughout his lifetime.

Vance graduated from David Anderson High School of Lisbon in 1963.

Vance was baptized August 9, 1968, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and became loved for his service in the Lisbon Congregation, both in his public ministry and as an elder.

Vance always loved Chrysler products, especially the famed Hemi motors.

He was known in the Lisbon community for the past 44 years as the owner of Frontiers Unlimited, an outdoor gear store.

Vance’s Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 24 at 4:30pm at the Lisbon Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 38195 Hunters Camp Rd, Lisbon, OH.

Anyone who cannot attend the Memorial Service in person may view the service via the internet. By calling 585 755 4173, you may receive the Zoom link.

Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S. Silvat, Inc. Share memories or send condolences by visiting cremateohio.com.

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