J. Alan Adams was born in 1936 in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas.
Adams graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in mechanical engineering. He then served in the United States Air Force as a communications officer for three years. Adams went on to earn an M.S.M.E. and a Ph.D., both from Purdue University.
In 1965 Adams began teaching at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He taught mechanical engineering until 1999, when he was awarded Professor Emeritus status. Adams has coauthored four engineering textbooks and written several historical novels, including Apple Blossoms: A 19th Century Struggle for Survival and Frog Gigging: The Civil War and its Aftermath in the Southwest.
Adams has been president of the Rotary Club of Annapolis. He and his wife, Ginger, have composed and performed piano duets. Adams was a 2008 honoree in the Fayetteville Public Schools Hall of Honor.
#1: Composite image of early photo of James Alan Adams and still frame from Pryor Center video interview; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2018
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: J. Alan Adams's father, Marvin Ray Adams
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: J. Alan Adams's mother, Georgia Anne Adams, in her wedding dress
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: J. Alan Adams with his parents, Marvin Ray and Georgia Anne Adams in his father's florist green house
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: J. Alan Adams with his mother, Georgia Anne
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: J. Alan Adams's mother, Georgia Anne, holding Hayden McIlroy
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: J. Alan Adams
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: J. Alan Adams, two years old, with his parents, Marvin Ray and Georgia Anne Adams
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: J. Alan Adams's father, Ray Adams's, florist shop
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#10: J. Alan Adams's father, Ray Adams, in his greenhouse
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#11: J. Alan Adams with his sisters, Janet Ruth (age 6), Anne Rae (age 3), and Camille Corin (age 1). Fayetteville, Arkansas, August 1946
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#12: J. Alan Adams in high school basketball photo
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#13: J. Alan Adams working as a student engineer for Boeing Airplane Company, Wichita, Kansas, 1958
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#14: J. Alan Adams in his United States Air Force uniform
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#15: J. Alan Adams climbing aboard United States Air Force plane
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#16: Ginger and J. Alan Adams with Ginger's parents, Norma and Joe Faulkner (left) and his parents, Edythe and Ray Adams, First Baptist Church, Russellville, Arkansas, June 13, 1958
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#17: J. Alan Adams at the computer
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#18: Prince Charles of Wales at the Passing Out parade for graduating midshipmen; Britannia Royal Naval College, 1994
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#19: J. Alan Adams (right) with Jack Cutter, Mayor of Darmouth, England, and his wife; Brittania Royal Naval College, 1994
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#20: J. Alan and Ginger Adams
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#21: J. Alan Adams (back row, 3rd from left) and Ginger Adams (2nd row, center, holding sign) at the Ray Adams family reunion, 2004
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#22: J. Alan Adams riding a dolphin
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#23: J. Alan Adams
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#24: J. Alan and Ginger Adams
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#25: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with J. Alan Adams; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2018
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#26: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with J. Alan Adams; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2018
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#27: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with J. Alan Adams; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2018
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
