AUGUSTA — James “Jim” Adams, 78, of Monmouth passed away at Maine General Hospital in Augusta on Friday, Sept. 24, in the arms of his wife.

Jim was born in Rochester, N.Y., on May 24, 1932, to Joseph and Catherine (Wambach) Adams. After completing his education in Rochester he immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps. With pride he served his country in the Korean Conflict as a combat photographer. “Gunny Jim” felt those 10 years as a Marine laid the foundation for the rest of his life, setting only the highest of standards for himself.

After completing his Marine years he continued to serve his country in the U.S. Foreign Service at posts in Bonn, Germany, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He returned to the United States at the direct request of Sargent Shriver to work with him on the birth of the Peace Corps under the administration of John F. Kennedy as the acting director of transportation in Washington, D.C. His charge was to immediately move thousands of volunteers to every corner of the world.

Jim’s professional career was in the airline and travel industry in New York City prior to moving to Maine in 1978 for love. He married Bonnie Gwadowsky, his wife of 31 years and together they continued their passion of traveling. In recent years they fulfilled their lifelong dream living in their home on their beloved Tacoma Lakes with special pets Tacoma, Buddy, Tiffany and Fluffy.

Jim enjoyed working with all wood, designing loons and rustic furniture creations. He was well known for his award-winning flowers and vegetables. Military marching music as well as classical music filled his workshop studio. Jim was an official Maine loon counter for the Maine Audubon Society. He enjoyed being involved with the Monmouth Museum.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bonnie Gwadosky Adams, of Monmouth; his sister, Claire Marie Sterling, of Rochester, N.Y.; sons, Christopher Adams and his wife, Tracia, of Merritt Island, Fla.,and James Adams and his wife, Cara, of Summerville, S.C.; daughters, Patricia Jones and her husband, Brian, of San Diego, Calif.; Leslie Crane and her husband, Ford, of Temperance, Mich.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His immediate Maine family includes brother-in-law Dan Gwadosky and his wife, Cheryl, and their children, Joshua and Jessica, of Augusta.

With heartfelt appreciation, Jim’s family acknowledges Abderrahim Khomani, M.D. They also thank the family of Harold Alfond for the gift of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, which daily brings hope to all who enter its doors. Messages of condolence may sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

“SEMPER FI!”