The Legacy of JE Adams
JE Adams Jr. passed away on October 30, 2020, he was affectionately known to many as "Rock".
Born on July 8, 1930, he was the second oldest of three children born to the late JE, Sr. and Harriett Adams in Lexington, Kentucky.
He was joined in holy matrimony to the former Patricia E. Hatcher in December 1955.
After relocating to Grand Rapids, Michigan they had three children: JE Adams III, Patrick E. Adams, and Tonya E. Adams.
"Rock" was a strong Black Christian man, exactly as his nickname implied. His family and everyone he met found him to be a source of wisdom who always knew the right thing to do or say.
His educational accolades include Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY; Bluefield State College, Bleufield, WV, B.S., Education: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, Masters in Education, M.A. with Candidacy. He has taught and coached in Winston-Salem, NC; Lexington, KY and Grand Rapids, MI. This remarkable career culminated as Director of Elementary Schools for the Grand Rapids Public School System while simultaneously holding the position of Director of Drivers' Education for the Grand Rapids City School System. His passion for teaching drove him to continue to teach after retirement from the Grand Rapids Public School System where he continued to substitute, teaching Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades for the Louisville Kentucky Public School System (JCPS) until diabetes-related complications forced complete retirement in 2013. JE believed teaching the youth was the key to a brighter future for all mankind.
He loved the community and remained vigilant in his quest to provide a greater future for generation to come than the generations that he was blessed to experience here on earth. JE along with three African American men accomplished what many saw as impossible, especially in the 1960's.
The late Dr. Julius Franks, Sam Tripplett and educator Joseph Lee challenged the city of Grand Rapids through institutional racism, government bureaucracy and strong opposition for seven years to be the first African Americans to purchase and occupy land outside of the cities identified "Red Line" for blacks to reside.
The other three men consisted of Sam Triplett, a local Grand Rapids area high school teacher; Joseph Lee, a social worker; and Dr. Julius Franks, a dentist, joined together and formed the Auburn Hills Land Developing Company.
With joined forces, they developed Auburn Hills, a residential area on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, that came to be known as the Fuller - Sweet neighborhood.
"The four of us were having our usual business lunch, when Dr. Franks told us about twenty acres of land that was for sale," said JE Adams in and interview with the Grand Rapids Times. "I volunteered to go down to city hall to do some investigating on the property. When I got to the counter and told the front desk person that I wanted to know about the twenty acres of land for sale and the cost, all the typewriters in the room stopped, and everyone just stared at me. I was told the cost of the land and that payment would have to be in cash."
Because the land was originally designated for a city park, their biggest fight was in court, where they had to prove that making a residential area out of the twenty acres would be worth while. After being turned down and told "maybe" by many local companies, they found three building companies to agree to build houses on the property.
The lots soon filled.
Three of the four pioneering men eventually built homes in Auburn Hills and raised their children there. Joe Lee was the first among them, followed by Sam Triplett and JE Adams among them. His grandchildren include Marcus Adams, Zane Adams Alani Lester/ Adams, and Ashley McClerin.
Dr. Julius Franks also purchased lots for his children.
JE was an active Sunday school teacher for Canaan Christian Church, Louisville, KY and First Community A.M.E. Church, Grand Rapids, MI. He was a charter member of the Ta-Wa-Si Athletic Association where he held all offices including President. He was also a Charter Member and Neighborhood Health Services Board of Grand Rapids, MI; Board Member Osteopathic Hospital, Gran Rapids, MI; Discretionary and Emergency fund for elementary schools in Grand Rapids, MI. He also remained active in fraternal organizations both educational; Phi Delta Kappa and social; Alpha Phi Alpha. On March 25, 1960, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. assembled and chartered the #267 Alumni Chapter in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also a charter member of the ETA Nu Lambda Alumni Chapter of Grand Rapids, MI.
His services were held on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Canaan Christian Church located at 2840 Hikes Lane, Louisville, KY.
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