Mike Adams

Mike crossed over the great divide into the sky world in the early hours of the morning, September 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 64.

Family was everything to Mike. Mike was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1961. His mother, Jerrianne, and father, Jack Ray Adams, brought together two families of young children, then added one more, and raised eight children together. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Jack, brother Dennis, sister Donna and brother Jack Jr. He is survived by his mother, Jerrianne, brothers Ricky and Jimmy, and his sisters Lisa and Janice. This large family was loved deeply by two very strong parents.

Art changed everything for Mike. Mike graduated from Southwest High School and his participation in the Honors Arts program changed his life. He was awarded an Art Scholarship from Washington University, and he graduated in 1984 with a BFA in Illustration. Mike submitted his portfolio and was hired by Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. Mike met his wife, Jeanne Chouteau-Adams, at Hallmark and they married in 1986. It was love at first sight and meant to be.

Being a parent meant everything to Mike. Mike and Jeanne welcomed their first child, Peter in 1987 and then Keegan, Sarah and Connor. Our children's other Mother, Karen Redmond, cared for the children until all were in school while Mike and Jeanne worked fulltime. The family lived in a big house in Hyde Park that was full of children from the neighborhood. Mike began to coach soccer, became known as a formidable dungeon master, and championed his children's interest in music since he played the banjo, aka, we forced our children to take up an instrument of their choosing.

Coaching soccer was Mike's passion. He truly was a student of the game. Mike was awarded a National C License and coached many levels of play, boys and girls. He loved his teams. He loved competition. He believed that playing soccer taught children life lessons, trust, teamwork and recognition of individual strengths. Mike's sentimental team is Celtic, (You'll Never Walk Alone, Mike!), but his favorite is Arsenal. He requested that people wear the soccer jersey of their favorite team at his memorial service. We're all one big team if you love soccer.

Mike could cook anything. He was adventurous with flavors but always respected the dishes he grew up with. His mother is an excellent cook. He smoked meats on his "Big Daddy' smoker for holidays in the summer. Nothing better than his father's BBQ sauce recipe! Two of his boys are professional chefs.

Being a teacher was a pleasure for Mike. Once he started at BAYarts in Bay Village, he thought maybe he had missed a calling earlier in life, but he found it there. Mike taught graphic design to middle school age kids, on computers, every Tuesday night. He loved to interact with that age group and class was maybe more fun for him than them!

Mike is survived by his wife, Jeanne Chouteau-Adams, of 39 years, his mother-in-law Mary Anne Chouteau, his son Peter and his wife Rachel, who blessed Mike with two amazing grandchildren, Kaden and Ava, his son Keegan, daughter Sarah and her wife, Chrissy, and his son, Connor.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Visitation will be 9:00 – 11:30 am, with a service from 11:30 – 12:00 pm at Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, 163 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012. A lunch will follow at Arrabiata's Italian Restaurant, 600 Dover Center Road, in Bay Village. (cash bar).

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to BAYarts, www.bayarts.net, specifically for '100 Proof Press'. This will be a printmaking studio that was a passion project of Mike's. Donate so art can thrive.