Thurman Adams Jr.

Thurman G. Adams Jr. (July 25, 1928 – June 23, 2009) was a Democratic member of the Delaware Senate, representing the 19th District. He was the longest-serving state senator in Delaware history, at the time of his death.^[1]

Biography

Adams was born in 1928 in Bridgeville, Delaware^[2] to Thurman and Bessie Lillian Adams. He was the youngest of four children, and grew up working on the farm during the Great Depression and World War II. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1950.

Political career

He was elected to the Delaware Senate in 1972 and served as the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate from 2003 until his death. He also served as the State Senate Majority Leader from 1999 through 2002.

One of the many bills Adams shepherded through the Delaware General Assembly provided for an enhanced 911 system that automatically gives dispatchers the address from which a call is originating. Not long after the system went into place, it helped rescue a New Castle County woman who was abducted and held captive. When she was able to temporarily elude her captor and dial 911, the operator knew her location because of the system.

Death

On June 23, 2009, Adams died from pancreatic cancer at Kent General Hospital in Dover. He was 80 years old.^[3] He is buried at Bridgeville Cemetery in Bridgeville, Delaware.

Legacy

The University of Delaware acquired the personal papers and collectible memorabilia of Adams in 2010. Items may be displayed as part of a special collection after review and processing.^[4]

The University of Delaware named its research and education farm in Georgetown, Delaware in honor of Adams. The research farm is named the Thurman G. Adams Agricultural Research Farm.^[5]

References

External links

• 2008 ***2006 2004 2002 2000 Follow the Money - Thurman Adams Jr. campaign contributions
• University of Delaware: Library acquires papers of Thurman Adams Jr.
• Find A Grave