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Senate President Pro Tempore Thurman Adams (D-Bridgeville) passed away today (Tues.) at 8:45 a.m., succumbing to pancreatic cancer, with which the longtime legislator had only recently been diagnosed.
His passing was peaceful and he died surrounded by his family, according to Legislative Hall officials.
Adams, who was first elected to office in 1972 and became president pro tem six years ago, is survived by two daughters, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Adams’ daughters, Polly Mervin and Lynn Kokjohn, addressed legislators today at 2:45 p.m. about their father’s death.
Polly Mervine, one of Adams’ daughters, said her father loved helping Delawareans of all stripes. “He really loved the people of Delaware,” Mervine said. “His hobby was public service.”
And one of his grandsons, Drew Slater of Dover, said Adams hadn’t allowed his illness to slow down his Senate work. “The day before he died,” Slater said, “he talked to us about getting a bill ready for the governor to sign, dealing with the state fair.”
Adams other daughter, Lynn Kokjohn, said that as much as he loved his public life, her father’s legacy was greater than his actions in the political arena. “People need to know he was more than a politician,” she said. “He was a tremendous father, a wonderful grandfather and great-grandfather, and an incredible friend.”
Senator Adams was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda, and his son, Brent. He was the president of a family grain business and farming company, T. G. Adams & Sons, Inc., of Bridgeville, which had been founded by his father and to which he returned as a young man after earning a degree in agriculture at the University of Delaware. He continued to work every day up until the time of his hospitalization. On days when the Senate was in session, he would still be at his Bridgeville office by seven o’clock in the morning. He always prided himself on his close ties with Delaware’s farming community.
Senate Majority Leader Anthony DeLuca, D-Newark East, said he feels Adams’ passing personally. “He was my friend, and I’m going to miss him,” DeLuca said. “This is a loss for the people of Delaware. But right now, our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Adams’ family.”
The longtime Delaware senator was 80.
Senate President Pro Tempore Thurman Adams (D-Bridgeville) passed away today (Tues.) at 8:45 a.m., succumbing to pancreatic cancer, with which the longtime legislator had only recently been diagnosed.
His passing was peaceful and he died surrounded by his family, according to Legislative Hall officials.
Adams, who was first elected to office in 1972 and became president pro tem six years ago, is survived by two daughters, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Adams’ daughters, Polly Mervin and Lynn Kokjohn, addressed legislators today at 2:45 p.m. about their father’s death.
Polly Mervine, one of Adams’ daughters, said her father loved helping Delawareans of all stripes. “He really loved the people of Delaware,” Mervine said. “His hobby was public service.”
And one of his grandsons, Drew Slater of Dover, said Adams hadn’t allowed his illness to slow down his Senate work. “The day before he died,” Slater said, “he talked to us about getting a bill ready for the governor to sign, dealing with the state fair.”
Adams other daughter, Lynn Kokjohn, said that as much as he loved his public life, her father’s legacy was greater than his actions in the political arena. “People need to know he was more than a politician,” she said. “He was a tremendous father, a wonderful grandfather and great-grandfather, and an incredible friend.”
Senator Adams was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda, and his son, Brent. He was the president of a family grain business and farming company, T. G. Adams & Sons, Inc., of Bridgeville, which had been founded by his father and to which he returned as a young man after earning a degree in agriculture at the University of Delaware. He continued to work every day up until the time of his hospitalization. On days when the Senate was in session, he would still be at his Bridgeville office by seven o’clock in the morning. He always prided himself on his close ties with Delaware’s farming community.
Senate Majority Leader Anthony DeLuca, D-Newark East, said he feels Adams’ passing personally. “He was my friend, and I’m going to miss him,” DeLuca said. “This is a loss for the people of Delaware. But right now, our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Adams’ family.”
The longtime Delaware senator was 80.
