Vaughn Paul Adams, Jr.

Vaughn Paul Adams, Jr., an engineer and resident of Tempe, AZ, ascended to Heaven on June 9, 2021 at the age of 83 while surrounded by his loving family and in the comfort of his own home. Vaughn was born August 30, 1937 in Unionville, PA to Vaughn Paul Adams, Sr. and Margaret Violet Sinkovitz.

He married Lucille Falusi in 1957. They had five children, Tracy Leigh (Byler), Vaughn P. Adams, III (deceased), Kenton Douglas, Laura Lynn (deceased), and David Elliot.

In 1995, he married Paula Jeanne Kanouse Davis, and he embraced as his own her four sons, Bartholomew Joseph, Oren Matthew, Christopher Paul, and Jon Michael.

Vaughn valued education as the route to success. After beginning his education at Purdue University, he moved from Chicago, Illinois to Phoenix, AZ in 1958. His education continued at Arizona State University, where he received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, M.S. in Industrial Engineering and Human Factors Engineering. He taught at ASU as a professor of Engineering for twenty years and became ASU’s Department Chairman for Engineering Design Sciences. In 1975, he completed his Ph.D. at Texas A&M, in College Station, TX. With his entrepreneurial spirit, he acquired his professional licenses as a Surveyor and Professional Engineer in Arizona, California, and Texas. In 1979, he began his consulting firm, Biotechnics (later named BTI Consultants) which he led until his retirement in 2010. Other highlights of his career included working at the Ames Research Center at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA on the NASA space suit and the Moonlab project. Vaughn also contributed to designing the 69-kV utility structures throughout Arizona for Salt River Project.

Vaughn was a gentle, compassionate, and loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be remembered for his numerous accomplishments and contributions to his family, students, and valued employees. His witty sense of humor and charming personality gave light to the room and a smile to any frown. His love for travel and new experiences propelled his curiosity of life. He loved parties, making wine, researching his family genealogy, being involved with the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), reading John Grisham books, writing poetry for his wife, listening to Yanni and Meryl Haggard, water coloring with his grandchildren, and sharing his blessings with all.

In life, Vaughn encouraged people to pursue their passions, to embrace Jesus’ love, and to grow to their full potential. We most appreciated him for his strong and heartfelt faith, his quick wit and charm, and his generosity to all. Vaughn spent his final days embracing family and documenting life’s moments through art. With the help of the Lord, Vaughn “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for [him] the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to [him] on that day…” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Vaughn is survived by his wife Paula “Polly” Adams, his children, his stepchildren, twelve grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 15 from 6-8PM at Green Acres Mortuary in Scottsdale, AZ. Funeral services will be held at Grace Community Church on Wednesday, June 16 at 9AM with burial services to follow at Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Palo Verde Chapter.