Daniel D. Adams Jr.

August 15, 1942 – February 8, 2026

Dan lived a life marked by devotion, integrity, and service — to his family, his community, and his country.

Born to Frances and D.D. “Jack” Adams in Oklahoma City, Dan attended Linwood Elementary, Taft Middle School, and Northwest Classen High School before continuing his education at Davidson College. At Davidson, he participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) for four years, played both soccer and baseball, and contributed cartoons to The Davidsonian.

He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he met Mary Elizabeth. They married after he accepted his commission in the United States Army. His initial post in the Military Intelligence Office in Omaha, Nebraska, was cut short when he was promoted to Captain and deployed to Vietnam as a counterintelligence advisor.

Following his military service, Dan built a distinguished career in banking and finance. He served as Vice President at Liberty National Bank; Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Board Member at Mid-Continent Life; and Vice President and Investment Officer at American Fidelity. His favorite jobs remained far earlier ones — working the scoreboard and press box roof for the Oklahoma City Indians, and serving as a soda jerk at Drexel Pharmacy, where he claimed to have invented the double-patty smash burger.

Dan was deeply involved in professional and civic life. He was a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the American Bar Association; the American Council of Life Insurers; the Income Property Advisory Council of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America; and served as Chairman of the Life Company Mortgage and Real Estate Council. He also served as Chairman of the Westminster School Board of Trustees; on the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, Last Frontier Council; as Committee Chair for Troop 193; Treasurer and Board Member of Rotary Club 29; Elder and Trustee at First Presbyterian Church; President of Oklahoma City Beautiful; a member of the Sunbeam Family Services Financial Committee; and on the Advisory Committee for Transcultural Family Counseling.

Above all, Dan was devoted to and dearly loved his wife, Beth; his sons, Dan and Scott; and his mother, Frances. He found great joy in coaching soccer and supporting his sons in all of their pursuits. He had a lifelong love of drawing, photography, filming home movies, and even creating animation. He also held a broad appreciation for music, humor, and the outdoors.

Dan was kind and genuine with everyone he met. He treated others with dignity and respect and had a rare ability to make people feel seen and special.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beth. He will be dearly missed by his son Dan and wife Carolyn; son Scott and wife Aimee; grandchildren Elissa, Zach, and Dane; and many cherished in-laws and dear friends. His legacy of quiet strength and steady love lives on in all who knew him.