John William "Jack" Adams, 100, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away Feb. 11, 2011. He was born Oct. 11, 1910, in Spokane, Wash., to Donald and Tirza (Bowles) Adams.

Jack was the oldest of nine children. He helped with the family farm in his early years and raised the biggest hog in the state of Washington at age 12. Jack, his dad, Donald Sr., and "Suzie" the hog all made it to the national 4-H convention in Chicago. At the age of 18 Jack worked for his dad at Adams Tractor Co. in Spokane where he learned mechanics and welding. Then for 16 years he operated a bulldozer building roads and helping with the Grand Coulee Dam and the University of Idaho football stadium. He taught welding at Eastern Washington University during World War II. Along with his wife, Mina, they started the Coeur d'Alene Tractor Co. in 1948. Although the management was gradually passed to his sons, John and Wally, during the 1970s and 1980s, Jack continued working until the age of 97.

Jack was most generous to his family, his town (Coeur d'Alene), his friends, customers or anyone who needed some help and he gave many scholarships to deserving 4-H youth. His greatest legacy was his integrity. Jack was a 32nd degree mason and a 65-year member of the North Hill Lodge in Spokane. A life well lived and a man much loved.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Whitley Adams and her daughter, Diane Whitley; his daughter, Janis Meckel; his sons, John Adams and Wally Adams; a sister, Doris Woodward; brothers, Carroll Adams, Robert Adams, Howard Adams and Gordon Adams; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Tirzah Robinson and Rosamond Allen; a brother, Donald Adams; a daughter, Joyce Russell; wife Mina Schmitt Adams and wife Edna Evans Adams.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d'Alene with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.

The family prefers memorials to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210.

Please visit Jack's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.