Keith Charles Adams

Keith C. Adams, 87 of Sioux City, passed away on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at his daughter's home comforted by family. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at St. Boniface Catholic Church with Father Michael Erpelding as Celebrant. Entombment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum with Military Graveside Rites offered by the United States Navy. Visitation, with family present, will be on Monday, August 27th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with a Sioux City Fire Department Honor Guard at 6:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Online condolences for the family may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com Keith was born on February 23, 1925 in Sioux City to Isadore and Alice (Butler) Adams. His parents were later divorced and his mother Alice married Joe Miller, who then assumed the role of father for Keith and his siblings, and grandfather to their children. Keith attended Sacred Heart School in Sioux City. The following was written by Keith detailing his history in the United States Navy: "Enlisted in the Navy at 17, in 1942. Sent to the Great Lakes Naval Boot Camp. Went aboard the USS Indiana at Caslo Bay, Portland, Maine, while on it's shake down cruise. Served aboard the USS Indiana continuously until February 1946, earning 12 Campaign Stars. Was assigned to the Repair and Firefighting Damage Control aboard ship. Was Discharged Shipfitters 3rd Class on February 23, 1946 at the age of 21." Keith's only regret is that he hadn't kept closer contact with the many shipmates he had aboard the USS Indiana. Keith returned to Sioux City, married a beautiful girl of 16, Dorothy Watterson on May 7, 1949, to this union, 3 daughters were born, Jenny, Julie, and Jane. Keith joined the Sioux City Fire Department in 1956. He was injured while at a house fire in about 1966. Keith retired as a First Lieutenant of the Sioux City Fire Department; after which, he owned and operated his used car lot on West 4th and Wesley Way, K.C.'s Used Cars. Keith was a number one family man. He was always there for his daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His wife Dorothy passed away on May 17, 2002, after 53 years of marriage. For the past ten years, Keith's days started at 10:00 a.m. at Dorothy's grave site for his prayers. Keith was also an avid thrift store shopper, making daily stops. Each day was dinner at the Senior Center with his friends; Chef Jeff took excellent care of him. Keith was a member of the North Sioux City Cribbage League, where he earned great respect and some fear from his competitors because of his skill of the game (or was it the run of his mouth or the run in his hand that won him most of his games?). Keith is survived by his Dachshund Pee-Wee; 3 daughters Jenny Abraham and her late husband Art of Sioux City, Julie Martin and her husband Mike of Sioux City, and Jane Hockett and her late husband Danny of Sioux City; 6 grandchildren Tim (JoDee) Shults, Shane (Sara) Martin, Dori (Darren) Koster, Derek (Stacey) Martin, Renee (Todd) Hummel, and Danny Hockett II; 9 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother, 3 sisters, and his two sons-in-law. Casket Bearers for the service will be Sioux City Firefighters. A special thank you to Dr. Geha for your kindness, concern, skill, and compassion that you showed our dad.