Dwayne John Adams, 86

March 15, 1940 — April 24, 2026, Navy Officer

Dwayne John Adams was an incredibly big-hearted man who loved his family and community. He found humor in almost every situation and had a joke for every occasion. He passed away at Kootenai Health surrounded by love, family and God’s gentle grace. 

John was born to Mina and Jack Adams in Spokane, Wash. At a young age, he moved with his family to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he attended Bryan Elementary and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School. He then attended North Idaho College and was Student Body President 1959-1960; later earning his college degree from Montana State University. 

John enlisted in the Navy and began his military service in Pensacola, Fla. He met most of the requirements to become a pilot, but then found out he was colorblind. He served as a naval intelligence officer flying in the P-3 Orion and flew over contentious waters in an anti-submarine aircraft. He served in such places as the Philippines, Guam, Japan, Hawaii and Adak, Alaska. He was honorably discharged as Lt. Dwayne J. Adams in 1972. A fellow Naval officer described John as the epitome of decency.

At the young age of 27, John began working with his father, Jack Adams, at the family business, Coeur d’Alene Tractor. John served as President and CEO of Coeur d’Alene Tractor and carried the company through tough economic times to make it the successful business it is today, with the management of five Adams Tractor store locations. He was an industry leader in the agricultural and construction equipment field. His support of the 4-H program never wavered.

He had a lifelong love of airplanes and joined the Coeur d’Alene Airport Board, serving as President for 25 years. He was also voted onto the Empire Airlines Board of Directors on Oct. 26, 2006, and continued to serve until his death. He is dearly missed.

He served on the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce Board and was honored as 2023 Citizen of the Year.

John was a regular contributor to the North Idaho College Foundation with his wife, Joanna. Together, they also supported the Museum of North Idaho and Children’s Village, now Canopy Village. He regularly attended the Community United Methodist Church and served on a perpetual finance committee. 

He also had a love of sports. He played basketball at Coeur d’Alene High School and North Idaho College. John continued to follow and support basketball, baseball, swimming, golf, volleyball, track, soccer and all sports that his kids and grandchildren participated in. He also loved to play golf and tennis.

When asked what his greatest accomplishment was, John, without hesitation, said, “I am a good father.”

He raised three sons with his previous wife, Shirley, then expanded his family with four additional children when he married his current wife, Joanna, on Aug. 12, 1989.

He was preceded in death by his twin sisters, Joyce Russell and Janis Meckel, and his former wife, Shirley Glover.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Joanna Evalena Adams; brother Wally Adams; son Chris Adams (Jen); son Matt Adams (Amber); son Jon Adams; stepdaughter Michelle Faucher-Sharples (Brad); stepson Greg Faucher (Kim); stepdaughter Marjorie-Ann Faucher (Ryan); stepson Peter Jones Faucher; grandchildren Micah Sharples, Charles Daniel Sharples, Claire Faucher, Brooke Faucher, Lucy Adams, Cannon Adams, Evalena Blodgett, Ariella Blodgett, Madison Prehn and Holland Prehn. He dearly loved them all. 

There will be a celebration of life for John at 11 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2026, in the North Idaho College Schuler Performing Arts Center located in Boswell Hall, 880 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Parking permits will not be required.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the North Idaho College Foundation in support of the “John and Joanna Adams Scholarship Endowment.” For more information, please visit https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Pt_yC31grzsX3R8jtgfyUQkFXH?domain=nic.edu or call 208-769-5978.

A viewing will be available Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Yates Funeral Home — Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. You can visit John’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

Interment will be at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene for the family.