Donald (Don) Arthur Adams, Sr., age 85, of Wenonah, N.J., died April 14, 2014 at Manor Care Health Services in West Deptford, NJ, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Born in Waterloo, Iowa, on June 21, 1928, to the late Arthur and Sadie Adams, he became the first person in his family to graduate from college. He married Edith Cretzmeyer on June 10, 1950, the day after his graduation from the University of Iowa, and moved to N.J. to start his career as a chemical engineer with Hercules, Inc. (then Hercules Powder Co.). He was issued a patent for a phenol purifying process in 1967 that was later licensed in 8 countries. He spent much of his professional career traveling the world to oversee plant start-up operations until he retired from Hercules in 1986. For over 50 years, Don and his wife Edith were residents of Wenonah where they raised their five children. Don and Edith were married for almost 61 years until her death in April 2011. Don enjoyed playing golf, bowling, bridge games, fishing, and loved old cars, especially Lincolns.

Don joined the Wenonah School Board in 1964 and completed a one-year term before being elected to the Gateway Regional High School Board. He served as President of the Gateway School Board until 1977 and proudly presented diplomas to his four oldest children.

Don is survived by one sister, Jan Walentine of CA; two daughters, Pamela Lehr (married to Sidney Lehr) of FL and Allyson Adams of MD; three sons, Donald Adams, Jr (married to Wanda Adams) of Sewell, Dennis Adams (married to Anna Adams) of MD, and Gary Adams (married to Jean Adams) of MA; seven grandchildren, Katie and Karen Lehr, Scott, Jake, Jessica, Jason, and Nathaniel Adams, and three great grandchildren, Justin, Sam and Marlee Adams. Don is predeceased by his wife, Edith, and two sisters, Darlene Obadal and Joan Adams.

Relatives and friends may visit the family from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 47 Main St., Mantua, and 9:45-10:45 a.m., Friday, April 25, at Church of the Incarnation, 240 Main St., Mantua where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Wenonah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Don’s memory may be made to Heartland Hospice, 190 N. Evergreen Ave., Suite 122, Woodbury, NJ 08096.