Gilbert Austin Adam

Our beloved, Gilbert Adam went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 5th, 2021.  The Lord gave him a full measure of strength and comfort as his health was failing.  At the age of 91, he took his last breath peacefully, at home with family by his side.

Gilbert Austin Adam was born on August 18, 1930 in Prescott, Arkansas to Ernst and Margaret (Burt) Adam

Sadly, his mother died that day during childbirth.  But his father, Ernst, was so grateful to have a healthy child, that he named his son after the attending physician:  Dr. Gilbert Austin of Texarkana, Arkansas.

Not long after that, with Ernst struggling to raise two older twin boys as a widower in the grip of the Great Depression, Gilbert’s grandparents suggested that they raise baby Gilbert themselves in Hillsboro, Texas, just until Ernst gained more stability in Arkansas.  Ernst reluctantly agreed.Eventually the day came when Ernst was ready to welcome his youngest son, Gilbert (now a toddler), back to Prescott.  But after Ernst told his parents, William and Marie, that he was ready to take Gilbert back to Arkansas,

Gilbert's grandparents said they had become so attached to their grandson, that they would love to raise Gilbert as their own, if it was agreeable to Ernst.  Ernst hesitantly agreed again.Gilbert's grandparents, William and Marie, had come to America from Altenheim, Germany almost immediately after getting married in 1893.  They were a family of merchant tailors for as far back in time as they could go.  They had settled in Hillsboro and set up the tailor shop, right on the town square, across from the courthouse at 108 South Waco Street.  It was in this tailor shop and at the Adam family home on Line Street, where Gilbert held his fondest memories of growing up in the 1930’s.

Yet, in Arkansas, he still had a loving father, and two older brothers, Ray and Ralph, whom he adored.  Eventually, Ernst remarried, and Gilbert gained a loving step-mother, Miriam, and eventually had two younger sisters, Martha and Mary, that were near and dear to him to the end.

Gilbert graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1947.  Sadly his grandmother passed away just 3 weeks before he gave his salutatorian address.
He attended the University of Texas at Austin in the NROTC program and graduated in 1952 from the business school with a degree in Accounting.  Gilbert was part of his family's first generation where not a single family member worked in their histroical trade as merchant tailors.

After graduation, he served two years in the Navy during the Korean War and went on to serve another 7 years in the Navy Reserves.

After going back to civilian life, he was promptly hired by Arthur Andersen and passed all his CPA exams in 1959.  He spent his professional career as an Executive in Accounting and Finance in the Oil and Gas Industry.

On September 3, 1966, he married the love of his life, Joy Faye Kortemier.  The two of them were a loving partnership that formed everlasting memories for their two children to cherish over their 55 years of marriage.

He was a Key Club member and active in the Financial Executives Institute throughout his entire life.  His passion for Gods’ work led him to be an enthusiastic student and teacher for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for many years.  Seeking to serve others, he was also a volunteer with Meals on Wheels for over 30 years.

As a long time member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church and The Timothy Class, he eventually raised his family there as well.  In 1991 he became a founding member of  Park Cities Presbyterian Church.  He cherished his time there and served as a regular Greeter and Usher.

Gilbert formed lasting relationships with many different people.  He loved his time spent at the YMCA with his friends from the Sit and be Fit group.

He was known for his good counsel and wisdom that he gave to his friends and family and was excellent at writing letters and expressing his thoughts with precise clarity and perfect penmanship.

Gilbert received as a heritage, and left as a legacy, a hardworking and honest ethic and a strong faith with a quiet servant’s heart.

He is survived by his loving wife Joy Faye; daughter Karla Joy Adam Trusler (Alex); son Austin Adam (Kara); and six grandchildren:  Abby, Rhett, and Blake Trusler and Bryn, Kylie, and Quint Adam.  And his sisters Martha Steed (Prescott, Arkansas) and Mary Williams (Jerome, Arizona); and his brother-in-law, the Honorable William F. Kortemier II.

The family expresses their gratitude to his loving caregivers:  Maggie Namwaya, Christine Lukhoye, and Martin Juarez

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Camp Sweeney PO Box 918 Gainsville, Texas 76241 www.campsweeney.org

VNA Texas Meals on Wheels 1440 West Mockingbird Lane Dallas, Texas 75247 www.vnatexas.org

A celebration of Gilbert’s life will be held at the chapel at the Park Cities Presbyterian Church on December 21st at 2pm