Harold Adams

Harold Arthur Adams, born on May 19, 1933 in Colfax, Iowa, to parents Violet Katherine (Klett) Adams and Dannie Arthur Adams, passed away on September 3, 2023, in Ankeny, Iowa. His siblings include one older brother, Ivan and one younger half-sister, Nancy.

Harold grew up in Des Moines, IA. He attended school there, graduating from Des Moines Technical High School in 1951. He went to work at Beckley Electric, immediately, following high school graduation and later became a journeyman wireman, retiring from a supervisory position, at Baker Electric, in 1998.

Harold married Ramona Anfinson on June 4, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa at Visitation Catholic Church. Together, they made their home in Des Moines, living in the same house, in the Oak Park area, for 64 years. They were married for 66 years, until Ramona’s passing in February, 2022. He had three children, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

As a young man, Harold played semi-pro football. He was an, avid, supporter of North High School sports, throughout the many years his children were there. He was very active in the Highland Park community, taking great, pride in helping to build Highland Park Little League, in the 1960’s; later coaching many young boys, including his son, Rex. He enjoyed cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes with an occasional trip, with friends, to Kinnick Stadium. Besides sports, Harold’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, taking care of his yard and socializing with friends. He always looked forward to his, annual, fishing trips, to Canada, with “the guys”. When Harold wasn’t working, coaching, hunting or fishing, he could be found helping friends and family with electrical projects or working in his yard, which was always immaculate. In retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at various, community, functions held in Highland Park, including the annual, Highland Park Corn Feed and the Street Party & Car Show, at Chuck’s Restaurant. One of Harold’s fondest memories and one he told of many times over, was of when he turned eighty years old and about the party his family surprised him with at Principal Park Baseball Stadium in Des Moines. Everyone who came to celebrate showered him with surprise as he had come to the ballpark, that night, thinking he would be celebrating his great-granddaughter’s first birthday. The look on his face was priceless as he walked through the door. In addition to all of the excitement, of the surprise, he was one of a few who were chosen to throw out the “first pitch” of the game that night. He even had a Cub’s jersey with his name and the number “80”, sewn on the back, waiting for him to wear when he arrived at the party. To say the least, it was a night he always remembered until the very end and a story he loved telling to his caregivers and other friends, at Sunny View, where he spent the last 15 months of his life.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona, his parents and brother. Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Rex (Robin) Adams, daughters, Peggy (Steve) Elscott and Sandy (Dave) Sharon; grandchildren, Brett (Dawn) Adams, Chad (Cortney) Adams, Bryan Adams, Ty (Rachel) Sharon, Shelby Elscott and Trey Sharon; great-grandchildren, Gabrielle (Tyler) Jass, Brayden, Ryne, Isabelle, Ryer, Campbell & Paislee Adams and great-great-grandson, Micah Jass.

Funeral Services will be at Hamilton’s Near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 121 NW 2nd Ave, Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, September 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation prior, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. A private family burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, in Des Moines, immediately following services.

Please join the family, in celebration of Harold’s life and to share memories, at the funeral home, where a luncheon will be provided, following the burial.

We would like to thank the staff at Sunny View Care Center and Suncrest Hospice for the unconditional support, attention and loving care they provided to Harold and to our family over the past 15 months.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family, which will be donated to a charity of choice, in Harold’s name. Please contact the funeral home for details.

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