Johnnie M. Adams

Johnnie McArthur Adams, 72 passed away on Sunday, May 3rd 2015 at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a courageous battle.

Johnnie is the son of Roy and Carrie Adams of Jacksonville, Florida. He is the third child of 14 brothers and sisters. He attended St. Mark Baptist Church in Jacksonville, under the leadership of Reverend Durent.

He was educated in the Jacksonville Public School System, where he graduated from Northwestern High School. He would later enlist in the Air Force during the Vietnam era and honorably discharged on July 2, 1965. After which he redeployed in Connecticut, where he worked at Pratt Whitney. He completed a Machinist apprenticeship in January 1966 which would afford him an opportunity to work at General Electric in Schenectady, NY. He would meet his future wife, Brenda Mosely in Albany, NY. Johnnie would be affectionately known as "Goatman" for his 1968 Pontiac GTO. He was well-known at Lebanon Valley Speedway and a member of the NHRA for many years. Johnnie married Brenda Mosley on April 10, 1971. They would later have their 1st child, Jermaine Jabbar Adams on November 23, 1972. He endeared the city of Albany after driving taxicabs and working at Phillip Schuyler with many of Albany's youth. Johnnie accepted an offer from New York Telephone and later completed his Associates degree at Hudson Valley Community College in Automotive. His long career with NY Telephone began in 1974. That same year he and Brenda had their 2nd child, Pasha O. Adams in September. Johnnie worked on many capital district residents' cars over the years. In 1980, Johnnie and Brenda had their baby girl, Jamila M. Adams. Johnnie went on to work for NY Telephone for 35 years and retired in 2009. Johnnie was also a Real Estate Agent with Realty USA starting in 1986. Johnnie many hobbies include fishing, gardening, and most of all photography. Johnnie has mentored many young men in the Capital District and his community.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy and Carrie Adams, his wife Brenda, two sons Jermaine(Leslie), Pasha(Rashone), and one daughter Jamila, 5 grandchildren, USavior Caldwell, Bria McDowell, Jalen, Saniyya, and Jahmari Adams, and great grandson USavior, Jr. His brothers are Charles(Candi) and Micheal(Sharon) of Atlanta, Ga; Roy, Elder Shadrach, Walter(Annette), Reginald, Bernard(Virginia), and Eric of Jacksonville, Florida. His sisters Edith(Robert), Claudia Williams, Brenda Maples, Cynthia Farley, and Sharon Adams all of Jacksonville.

Calling hours will be held at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 3 Morton Ave, Albany, NY, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, from 10:00-12:00pm, with a service to immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation.