Jerome Adamson

1927 - 2024

Jerome Adamson

October 2, 1927 - December 14, 2024

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Jerome Eugene Adamson was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Mary West Harvey Adamson and Harold Rolie Adamson. He spent a happy small-town childhood as a rascal and a darling in New Martinsville, WV. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1945-1947 at the end of World War II and the occupation of Germany. Jerry then graduated from West Virginia University and obtained a medical degree from Duke University. He trained at Duke in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and at the University of Southern California in Hand Surgery. He authored over 100 published scientific articles and chapters in 15 surgical textbooks. In addition, he served as a consultant to Veterans Administration hospitals in VA and MD, and to the U.S. Army Hospital, Walter Reed, in Washington, D.C. He was honored to have been elected to a term as President of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Jerry practiced in Norfolk, VA until his retirement.

Jerry married Josephine B.C. Ruffin of Durham, NC and moved to Norfolk where they raised their three children. He served as Chairman of the Norfolk Citizens Advisory Committee, and on Boards of Directors of the Virginia Symphony, the United Way, the Rotary Club of Norfolk and on the Vestry of Christ and Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. His volunteer work at several medical facilities in Haiti during the mid-1960's made a significant impact on him.

Upon Jerry's retirement, he and Jo spent summers in Linville, North Carolina and winters in Boca Grande, Florida, developing great friends in both communities. He enjoyed fishing, shooting, hiking, tennis and golf, woodworking and reading for pleasure. Jerry described his life as "being lucky" and he voraciously lived every minute of his 97 years. Often with a dog at his knee, he always had a story ready about his adventurous childhood, medical career, many friendships, global travels, Eastern Shore duck hunting and fishing, and love of Duke sports.

Jerry was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Josephine Ruffin Adamson, and is survived by his daughter Josephine B.C. Adamson, son William T. Adamson and wife Kimberly S. Adamson, and daughter Mary R. Adamson; grandchildren Ruffin Evans (Natalie Dawley), Josephine Torres (Nick) and Avery Evans (Morgan Mulqueen), Cadence Adamson and Delia Adamson, Eleanor Galvez and Nick Galvez, great grandson Ryland Torres, sister Mary Francis Lowe, many nieces and nephews and their families, and his four Kluttz 'brothers' and their families.

A graveside burial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham, NC. The family will receive friends at home in Durham immediately after the service.