GORDON KENNETH ADAMS JR.
1947 – 2023
Gordon Kenneth Adams, Jr. went to heaven peacefully with his family by his side November 16, 2023 in Eagle, Idaho.
Gordon was born in Santa Monica, California in 1947 and grew up in in Glendale, California. He graduated from Glendale Academy and showed an early interest in learning to play the piano. He went on to attend and graduate from Pepperdine University including three years studying in Germany. He studied piano with several teachers including Hungarian concert pianist, Iren Marík formerly of Independence, California.
Gordon’s mother, Ruth Bulpitt Adams, was born and raised in Bishop, California. She inspired Gordon to move to Bishop where her grandfather, John Chaucey Bulpitt, and her father, Fred Bulpitt, came to the Owens Valley in 1876 and started the Bulpitt General Store on Main Street. Fred Bulpitt married Ella (Nellie) Adams after meeting her father, Asa Adams. Asa was Gordon’s hero because he loved the Lord and was a brave and courageous man in very hard times.
When Gordon and Cheryl moved to Bishop in 1973, Dr. Ed Bulpitt, Gordon’s mother’s first cousin and his wife, Nedra, mentored them and helped them remodel their old house. Gordon was inspired to remodel the Victorian house because his grandfather, Fred Bulpitt, built a beautiful Victorian house in Bishop for his fiancé, Nellie. Gordon’s mother, Ruth, and her twin Naomi grew up in that home. Naomi Condit and her husband Bill taught in Bishop schools in the 1940s.
Gordon was a man of strong faith and a strong commitment to playing and teaching piano, history, family research, house remodeling, and photography. Gordon, as the informal family historian, wrote many emails to family and friends sharing research. He and Cheryl frequently incorporated family history research into their trips.
Gordon taught piano in Bishop for more than 40 years. He wanted to leave a legacy of the love of music to his piano students. He continued teaching after retirement by sending concert videos accompanied by his teaching comments to his former students. Gordon composed a cherished lullaby for his mother. One always knew when Gordon was playing the piano by the warm, compelling sound.
Gordon had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and called himself a John 3:16 guy. He once traveled 10 hours in one day to be at his dying Aunt’s bedside to reassure her that Jesus loved her and accepted her.
Gordon was a gentle man with a soft voice when he spoke. He engaged easily with everyone – servers, clerks, bank tellers, and others he met. Gordon had a wonderful sense of humor and amazing laugh.
Gordon also had an artistic eye and paid close attention to details, evident in the final outcome of their Victorian house remodel. For example, Gordon and the contractor determined the height of the tower when Gordon viewed the contractor holding two nailed 2x4’s at the approximate tower height from the 2nd story of the house across the street.
Gordon met Cheryl Stearns in 1971 and they had a Victorian style wedding in Independence, California 2 years later. Gordon was Cheryl’s faithful friend, loved her dearly, and was totally devoted to her. He called her the ‘front duck’ because she was so much farther ahead than the group she was walking with. They were married for 50 wonderful years, 48 years in Bishop before moving to Eagle, Idaho to be near family in 2021.
Gordon is survived by his wife and best friend, Cheryl, his sister, Ada Wolfsen Nozetz (Stephen) of Rancho Santa Fe, California; sister-in-law Judi Adams of Newport Beach, California; and nieces and nephews: Amy Norton, Wendy O’Rafferty, Bobby Adams. Brent Adams, Kelly Mapes, Bradley Wolfsen, and numerous cousins.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents: Gordon K. Adams, Sr. and Ruth Bulpitt Adams, and his brother, Robert Adams.
A private graveside service was held at the East Line Street Cemetery in Bishop, California. Gordon will be forever loved and greatly missed.
Special thanks to Horizon Hospice of Meridian, Idaho, Dr. Dan Zukerman, Gordon’s niece and family Amy and Todd Norton with Sean and Kian, Betty Jo and Joe Zappia, several close neighbors, and many of his Glendale Academy classmates for their wonderful help.
Those who wish may make memorial donations to Laws Railroad Museum.