Paul James Adam Jr.

Jim was born October 26, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri, the oldest child of Paul J. Adam and Adrienne Zimmerman Adam. Jim attended Marlborough Grade School and Paseo High School and was active in the Boy Scouts of America, becoming a member of the tribe of Mic-O-Say and attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

After his family moved to Johnson County, Jim attended and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School. Jim moved on to the University of Kansas where he graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. At KU he served as President of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and was a member of a number of honor societies including Sachem, the senior men’s honor society.

After graduation Jim began a life-long career with Black & Veatch, which was interrupted temporarily by a three-year commitment to active duty with the U.S. Air Force. During his active duty assignment he married Barbara Mills in December 1956. Following his active duty, he continued his inactive reserve commitment, advancing to the rank of Captain before his honorable discharge from the service.

At Black & Veatch he undertook increasing responsibility for the design of power generating plants, working on numerous projects around the world. In 1975 he was named a partner in the firm and in 1979 was named executive partner and a member of the management committee, responsible for the firm’s Power Division. In 1993, Jim became CEO and Chairman of Black & Veatch.

In 1999, Jim was elected Chairman of the World Energy Council, an international non-governmental organization headquartered in London. He retired from Black & Veatch in 2000 and completed his term with the World Energy Council in 2002.

Jim served on the boards of First Continental Bank and Boatmen’s First National Bank. He was also active in many professional organizations having served as Chairman of the Construction Industry Roundtable and Chairman of the United States Energy Association. He was a fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and a registered engineer in numerous states. He served on the boards of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the ASME Foundation and was a trustee of Midwest Research Institute. Honors included the James N. Landis Medal from ASME, the Energy Efficiency Award from USEA, and the U.S. Energy Award from USEA. Jim was honored to receive the 1999 Human Relations Award from the Kansas City Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee.

Jim also served the University of Kansas as Chairman of the Engineering Advisory Board, Chairman of the Alumni Association, and a Life Trustee of the Endowment Association. Honors from KU included the Distinguished Engineering Service Award, the Ellsworth Medallion, and the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Citation.

Jim was a member of the River Club and a past member of the Kansas City Club, Saddle & Sirloin Club, Mission Hills Country Club, and Tucson Country Club.

He loved hunting and was challenged by the game of golf in his retirement. He also enjoyed music, having played the clarinet in the high school band and orchestra and in the Air Force Band at KU. He continued his commitment to music by singing in the choir at Christ Episcopal Church and, later, at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, both in Overland Park.

He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 60 years; by his sister Mary Sue Zercher (husband Bill) of Jasper, Georgia; and by his sons and daughters-in-law Jim and Diane Adam of Lenexa, Blair and Jean Adam of Overland Park, and Matthew and Kerry Adam of Overland Park. Also surviving Jim are nine Adam grandchildren: Danielle, Austin (wife Katie), Abigail, Riley, Spencer, Hayden, Madeleine, Matthew, and Trevor; and one great grandchild, Colt James Adam.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Paul J. Adam and Adrienne Zimmerman Adam, his sisters Patricia Jane Morrissey and Judith Zimmerman Groth, and his nephew Timothy Zercher.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, August 18th at 2:00 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Heart of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, or to the St. Thomas Organ Fund.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.