Cover photo for Michael Dan Adams's Obituary
Michael Dan Adams Profile Photo

Michael Dan Adams

November 16, 1955 — December 6, 2015

Michael Dan Adams

Michael Dan Adams, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2015 at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Nebraska, at age 60. He born November 16, 1955, in McCook, Nebraska, to Donald D. & Lila V. (Helton) Adams. Mike grew up in Arapahoe, Nebraska, and enjoyed the community activities that Arapahoe had to offer. He attended Arapahoe Elementary school and graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1974. Mike was very active in the Boy Scout program and earned the distinction of Eagle Scout. After high school he received appointments to both the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Naval Academy. He chose the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduating in 1978 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Before graduating, in 1977 Mike had the opportunity to participate in an exchange program between the Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. It was while Mike was at West Point that he met his future bride Melody. In June 1978, he married Melody Hector of Swan Lake, New York. They started their married life in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before going on to Enid, Oklahoma where Mike underwent pilot training at Vance Air Force Base. After graduating from pilot training, Mike returned to Vance AFB as an instructor pilot teaching students to become new pilots in the T-38 aircraft. During their time in Enid, Mike and Melody had their first daughter Rebecca. In 1983 the family moved to San Antonio, TX where Mike taught Pilot Instructor Training at Randolph AFB. Mike separated from the Air Force in 1985 to return to the family dirt contracting business. He also joined the Nebraska Air National Guard in Lincoln, NE, in 1985 where he flew the RF-4 aircraft. The family spent six months in Boise, Idaho, for Mike to learn to fly the different jet fighter. Not too long following their return to Arapahoe from Boise, daughter Katherine was born. The Nebraska Guard Unit changed aircraft and missions in 1996 and Mike was allowed to retire early. He loved flying and his time at the Air Force Academy and West Point, as well as in the Air Force and Nebraska Air National Guard, making many lifelong friends. Mike worked with Adams Construction Company serving as President of the Company for many years. He loved serving people and working with them as he helped level ground, build roads, feedlots, dairies, airports, grain pads, and a host of other dirt contracting projects. Mike was also very involved in community activities. He was elected to the Arapahoe-Holbrook Board of Education for twelve years, several of which he served as president. He was part of the First Central Bank Board of Directors for many years. He worked hard for the Arapahoe Area Foundation, Arapahoe Airport Authority, Board of Trustees and Administrative Council of the Arapahoe United Methodist Church, and was very active in the Cambridge and Shelton UMCs. Mike was an avid reader and history buff and enjoyed sharing his hobby with his family. Summer vacations usually included a tour of a dirt job in progress as well as a stop at at least one historical site. In addition, he was very passionate about his family and frequently encouraged them, proudly shared stories with and about them, and made memories with each and every one of them. Mike leaves behind a lot of friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Adams, father-in-law Howard Hector, and infant sister Dawn Elaine Adams. He is survived by his wife Melody of Arapahoe; daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Kevin Selin of Bellevue, NE; daughter Katherine and son-in-law Logan Dettmann of Waverly, NE; granddaughter Elinor Grace Selin of Bellevue and grandson Andrew Michael Dettmann of Waverly. Also mourning Mike’s loss is his mother Lila Adams of Arapahoe; brother Merle and sister-in-law Benita Adams of Arapahoe; sister Christine and brother-in-law Douglas Snyder of Arapahoe; mother-in-law Georgia Hector of Arapahoe; brother-in-law Nelson and sister-in-law Susan Hector of Arapahoe; nephews Adam Snyder and Thomas Adams of Arapahoe; nieces Trina Hector of Arapahoe, and Grace Snyder of Fullerton, NE; and many cousins and friends from across the country. Viewing and visitation will Friday, December 11, 2015 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Services will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Revs. Alan Davis and Becky Saddler officiating. Interment will follow at Arapahoe Cemetery, at Arapahoe, Nebraska. Military Honors presented by the Arapahoe American Legion and Offutt Air Force Base Military Honor Guard. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, NE, is in charge of the arrangements.
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