Hugh "Tom" Thomas Adair

Tom Adair passed away peacefully at home on August 29, 2024. On September 7 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Boonville, there will be a Rosary from 8:30 - 9 am, visitation from 9 - 11, and Mass at 11 am.  A meal and celebration will immediately follow in the church basement.  The family asks that any memorial contributions be made to SS Peter and Paul Catholic School or to Hometown Homecare.

A lifelong resident of Cooper County, Missouri, Tom grew up surrounded by family, including parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and his special double cousins.  The family farmed and moved around the Wooldridge and Boonville area.  He attended country grade schools, including being the only student in his eighth grade class.  He thrived at Boonville High, playing football, making lifelong friends, and meeting Joyce Esser, a Catholic school girl.  They formed a beautiful partnership, married in 1960 and had 64 wonderful years together.  They welcomed Lisa in 1961, Chele in 1962, Mike in 1964, and Beth in 1966.   They spent their whole lives supporting each other, growing a beautiful family, faith and a strong community around them.

Tom learned the value of hard work from his beloved dad, Jack.  He started working as a kid, and with a houseful of his own young family, worked two and three jobs to meet his responsibilities.  In 1972, he started Tom Adair Construction, which he ran until selling it to his son Mike in 2000.  He continued working until 2017.  The construction company employed at least 100 guys over the years, including family and friends, and often multiple generations of the same family.  Tom formed lifelong friendships with many of these guys and enjoyed watching them become responsible men with families of their own.  Several have told him how they’ve benefitted from what he instilled in them - the value of work and how to be a good employee and leader.

Those who knew Tom know how quick-witted he was, how much he loved to tell a good story and have fun. The annual surprise birthday parties that he threw for himself were a social event of the summer for many years.  The tradition of the “butt dance” began at one of these parties, and became a favorite group activity at birthday parties, weddings and other family gatherings.  He and Joyce owned the Wooldridge General Store from 1975 to 1991.  They served the community as a place to gather, pick up a few necessities, and hear the latest stories.  He was a founding member and regular attendee of the Liar’s Club at the local station, gathering with his buddies most mornings.

He loved hunting and fishing, and just sitting in the woods watching the animals.  Some of his fondest memories are of hunting with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids over the years, and getting more excited about what they got than they did. He loved his family the most, and this love was felt and returned by all.  He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Esser) Adair, his children, Lisa (Dennis) Dority, Chele Muder, Mike Adair (Donya Quinlan), and Beth (Tom Rockwell) Adair.  His 10 grandchildren James Watring, Tony Watring, Kathy (John) Mapes, Kelsey (Cory) Burton, Dutch Muder, Blair Muder, Jackson Adair, Toby (Emily) Adair, Maggie Adair, and Jasmine (Nick Rodriguez) Rockwell; and 14 great-grandchildren Zack Watring, Zane Watring, Zander Watring, Isaac Watring, Kade Watring, Cooper Mapes, Ella Mapes, Gabriel Burton, Henley Burton, Aspyn Burton, Gracie Simms, Grayden Simms, Oaklee Adair, and Nirvana Tyler.

Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, Mo 65233 (660) 882-3381. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com.

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