Kenneth Hardison Adams, 84, passed away on October 21, 2024, in Cedar City, Utah. He was born June 9, 1940, in Parowan, Utah, to Ray Hardison Adams and Nevada Knell. He was an anniversary gift to his loving parents.
Ken grew up in Parowan and attended Parowan High School, where he participated in many extracurriculars. He was known for his sense of humor and his all-around personality. He always kept people laughing with his jokes and witty one-liners. Ken won an FFA soil judging competition which earned him a scholarship to CSU. Ken then served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Southern States mission. He loved being able to help people learn more about Jesus Christ and His teachings.
Upon his return, Ken enlisted with the USMC Reserve and received training at Camp Pendleton, CA. He was a patriotic man who loved his country. Ken was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant after serving his nation for 6 years.
He went on to work and continue his education in Northern Utah. He worked for Sperry Rand Corporation and Hill Air Force Base as a machinist, in which he excelled. Ken met Ellen Grant while he was living in Centerville. The two were married on August 12, 1971, and sealed in the Manti temple. They later divorced.
Ken started his own business, KAMCO, and later Adams Machine Shop. He could engineer and manufacture just about anything you could ever need. He enjoyed the precise nature of his work and helping to solve problems for his customers. He loved inventing, welding, and manufacturing things in his machine shops surrounded by his milling machines and lathes.
Parowan City approached Ken to fill the position of Justice Court Judge for the Parowan City Precinct. He later became a Justice Court Judge for Iron County. He served in these roles for over 30 years and loved helping his community.
Ken met Kaye Harding while working at Smead, and they married on April 20, 2000. Ken was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and shared his love of our Savior and the gospel He taught with everyone. He loved serving in any capacity, including Scouting, his Priesthood assignments, and his time as a Sunday School teacher and nursery leader. He loved serving in the Cedar City Temple Baptistry with his wife Kaye.
Ken loved spending time outdoors, especially at the farm or the family cabin. His defining characteristics are his work ethic, friendliness, and love of his family. He taught his family and others many valuable life lessons emphasizing honesty, hard work, and respect. And he always reminded them to be humble, too.
Ken’s blended family consists of 37 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren, in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and outlaws. Ken is survived by his wife, Kaye Harding Adams; his children, Wade (Teresa) Adams, Sandi (Stan) Shepp, Elizabeth (Brandon) Batt, Marcy (Preston) Griffiths, Ray H. (Cori) Adams, Julie (Spencer) Kohler, Karolee (Don) Werber, and Kyle (Amy) Harding; his brothers, Robert K. Adams, and Thomas D. Adams; and his sisters, Amy Lou Knight, Marie Carpenter, Carol Ann Snow, and Nancy Abbott.
Ken is preceded in death by his father, Ray Hardison Adams, and mother, Nevada Knell Adams; his brothers, Stephen R. Adams, Charles K. Adams, and Norman K. Adams; his sister, Knell Adams; and his granddaughters, Kaitlyn Anderson, and Bayli-Sue Thompson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Parowan Stake Center, 90 S. Main St. A viewing will take place from 11-12:30 pm, with the funeral starting at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at the Parowan City Cemetery following the service under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at www.mortuary.org, where a livestream of Ken’s service will also take place. If so inclined, consider donating to the missionary fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in lieu of flowers.
