David Stewart Adams, age 76, died Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010, at the Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas. He was born June 16, 1934, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Raymond E. and Jessie Stewart Adams. As a youth he attended the Maple Hill Grade School. In high school he attended Pembroke County Day School in Kansas City, Mo., before graduating from Washburn Rural High School in 1952. He attended Kansas State University and then served several years in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, he returned to Kansas State University to complete his education.

David enjoyed raising cattle from a young age. His Adams Ranch raised Herford, Simmental, and Angus cattle. The Adams Ranch is situated in Wabaunsee and Seward counties, near Maple Hill and Meade, Kan., and Beaver County, Okla. The Adams Ranch headquarters moved to rural Meade County in 1997. As a cattleman, he was a pioneer in cross-breeding Simmental cattle and held many successful cattle auctions. At one time, David was a John Deere Dealer with several implement locations. He was a member of the Kansas Cattleman's Association, the American Royal, Pembroke Hill Alumni Association, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He was an avid pilot.

On Sept. 13, 1980, he married Judy Robert in Maple Hill. They recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They shared many interests including flying, cattle and travel. David was passionate about his 29 years of sobriety. He was committed to his ministry of helping others who struggled with alcoholism and impacted hundreds of lives. He and Judy founded the Maple Hill AA and Al-Anon Group and built the building where they have continued to meet for 25 years.

Survivors also include his children: Sarah Adams Guinn and husband Kent of Overland Park; Amy Berckman and husband Bobby of Morehead City, N.C.; David Stewart Adams, Jr. and wife Caroline of Shawnee, Kan.; his sister, Ann Adams Russell of Lawrence, and her husband Robert (Bob) Russell; seven grandchildren, Alexander Guinn, Grace Guinn, Colin McDonald, Kirsten McDonald, Andrew Adams, Paige Adams, and Amanda Steffen. He is preceded in death by his parents; his step-son, Craig Shaffer; and his brother, Raymond E. Adams, Jr. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, at the Adams Ranch, rural Meade. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Old Stone Church, Maple Hill. Burial will follow in the Maple Hill Cemetery. The family would welcome memorials made to: Meade County Historical Society in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, PO Box 70, Meade, KS 67864 or to the Maple Hill 12 Step Group Activities Fund in care of the Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Mary's, Kansas, 66536.