Joe Claron Adams

Joe C. Adams was born in Oakfield, Maine, on March 6, 1937, to Nina P. (Armstrong) and Joe Claron Adams. He grew up in Gorham, Maine, alongside his brother Jim. Their father was MIA during WWII. In later years, his mom remarried Lloyd Hatfield, who was also a beloved dad to Joe.

Joe attended school in Gorham, excelling in academics, basketball, and baseball. During high school, he began dating his future wife, Arlene. He went to UVA on an NROTC scholarship, where he was also a member of Sigma Chi. After earning his BA in 1959, he married his true love, Arlene Graffam, while she was completing nursing school. From there, Joe served twenty-three distinguished years for United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

In his early service years, he served as an USMC artillery officer, and his talents led him to an instructor position in the Army’s artillery school. Joe’s combat experience in Vietnam, including the Tet Offensive, earned him a Bronze Star for Valor. After his Vietnam service, he took on the critical role of Comptroller, completed his MBA, and oversaw operations at multiple Marine bases. He earned other meritorious medals because of his keen sense of strategy and stewardship. Returning to civilian life, Joe and Arlene moved to Rockland, Maine, where he worked from 1982-1989 as the Controller for Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.

Throughout his military career and retirement years in Rockland, Maine, Joe remained steadfast in his faith, sharing the Lord’s word in his home, neighborhood, churches, and even on the golf course. He served as a deacon, elder, and adult Sunday school teacher, leading prayer meetings and Bible studies for young adults and later, people of all ages, always dedicated to presenting God’s word. He also enjoyed playing golf at Rockland Golf Course, playing games with friends, gardening with Arlene, reading voraciously, and visiting with family. In 2019, Joe and Arlene left their beloved church, West Rockport Baptist Church, and moved to Greensboro, NC to be nearer family, where he and Arlene joined Friendly Avenue Baptist Church.

Joe was preceded in death by his brother, James R. Adams; his parents (Nina Armstrong Adams Hatfield and Joe Adams) and stepfather (Lloyd Hatfield); and his beloved grandson, Trevor Hawkins.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Arlene Adams of Greensboro, NC; his children, Terri Hawkins (Bob) of Summerfield, NC, Cheryl Garabedian (Dave) of Sutton, MA, and Dan Adams (Andrea) of Nesconset, NY; his eight cherished grandchildren, David, Katie, and Rachel (of NC), Sarah and David Jr. (of MA), and Colby, Brenna, and Owen (of NY); as well as his four beloved great-grandchildren.

Funeral services to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel, 6000 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407. The family will receive friends and loved ones prior to the funeral service from 9:30 until service time, at the funeral home. Joe will be laid to rest in Salisbury National Cemetery, in Salisbury, NC following the funeral service, at 1:30 p.m., with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/) or AuthoraCare Foundation (https://www.authoracare.org/give) in memory of Joe C. Adams.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com