Pete Adams

Peter Adams passed away on October 22, 2024. Born in Marshall, Texas on February 23, 1945, Pete was the son of Paul and Jacqueline (Meyers) Adams.

In the late 1960s, Pete left TCU to serve in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War. When he returned, he continued his education at Sam Houston State University and South Texas College of Law. He practiced law in Houston, Texas for many years. He later returned to academia to do graduate work in Political Science, and taught at the University of Houston. 

He retired in 2007 to open Gladewater Books. For the next 17 years, he was the purveyor of used books, ephemera, wisdom, strong opinions, and a bit of curmudgeonly cussing to everyone who came through the doors. He read widely and deeply his whole life. He had an uncanny ability to remember what people were interested in and to recommend books for them. 

Pete served on the Gladewater Museum Board, and was President of the Gladewater Friends of the Library. He worked to make the world better for the Gladewater downtown merchants community, Gladewater school kids, Gregg County jail inmates, veterans, and people with mental illness challenges. He was a vocal advocate for and supporter of arts education, the Texas Shakespeare Festival, and the Little Free Library. Pete was a cook and raconteur, and was tender with animals. But he regularly kicked mechanical things and slammed down laptop computers which he never understood or trusted. 

Pete is preceded in death by his parents Jacqueline and Paul Adams and his late wife Dawn Adams. 

Peter is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) DeRieux; family, Cherie Parrish and husband Kevin, Michelle Manning and husband Fred, Jacob DeRieux and wife Faren, and Eric DeRieux and wife Carolyn. He was Grandpa Pete to Victoria DeRieux, Brianna DeRieux, Gabby DeRieux, Beatrix Manning, Lycurgus Manning, Blakley Parrish, Knox Parrish, Blair Parrish, Cason DeRieux and Daniel DeRieux. He loved his big old crazy family of cousins and his friend and colleague Ismael Rubio. And his dog Pepper and AppleCat. 

There is no better way to honor Pete’s memory than to read a book. Please stop by his bookstore at 109 E. Pacific, Gladewater, on November 2, 2024, between 11:00 - 2:00 for food, talk and a “book open bar” where you can choose a book to take with you.

Pete’s memorial service will follow at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater, Texas on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.