BOONE, Iowa—Larry Adams, age 75 of Boone, tragically passed away in a motor vehicle accident on Monday, October 10, 2022 near Granger.
Larry Don Adams was born in Storm Lake on August 31, 1947, the oldest son of Floyd Harlan and Genevieve Mae (Wilson) Adams. Larry graduated from Boone High School in 1965, while in high school he became deeply interested in Boone and Boone County history. He continued his education at Boone Junior College graduating in 1967 and Institute of Paper Chemistry in 1973. Larry also attended Drake University, Georgetown University for Forensic Science and CE School of Commerce in Omaha for Accounting and Business Administration. He was widely recognized as the unofficial historian of Boone County.
Larry wrote articles for the Boone County Historical Society Publications “Trail Tales”, for which he served many years as editor. He was the “go to” person for Boone County history for many people. He curated the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace Museum for over 25 years, during which he met several members of the Eisenhower family.
Following his years there, he curated the Higgins Museum of National Bank Notes in Okoboji, IA. Larry’s interest in Boone bank history led him into a fascination with bank notes issued by local banks all over the U.S. He studied to become a licensed Private Investigator, an Examiner of Questioned Documents and a Forensic Consultant. Larry also studied the history of the Boone County Bar Association and kept it up to date.
Larry was deeply involved in many organization including being the Director of Special Projects and Chair of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, Boone County Representative of the Central Iowa Tourism Council, a member of the American Association of Museums, The Society of American Archivists, the American Association for State and Local History, a Past President of the Society of Paper Money Collectors, a member of the International Bank Note Society, the American Numismatic Association, the Iowa Library Association, the Iowa Genealogical Society and was President of the Boone County Genealogical Society. He served on the Board of Directors of the Boone County Historical Society and wrote articles for “Coin World”, “Paper Money”, “Bank Note Reporter” and “Collectors News”. He also belonged to the Boone Toastmasters Club #184, the Cocklebur Club, First Baptist Church in Boone, Mount Olive Lodge #79 and FEZ-B Shrine Club as well as numerous additional Boone area organizations.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jon Jay Adams; and nephew, Chad James Brensel.
He is survived by his nephew, Ryan (Christina) Adams of Jacksonville, FL; nieces, Julie (Kevin) McGee of Chattanooga, TN and Nicole (Chester) Smith of Des Moines; sister-in-law, Lynn Belluci-Adams of Boone; great nieces, Sophia and Abigail McGee; along with many cousins, friends and colleagues.
Larry was very nice and one of the more eclectic, eccentric individuals you’d ever meet.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, with a Masonic Service beginning at 4:30 P.M. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Friday, October 21, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Boone. Burial will be in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Boone Historical Society or the Higgins Museum.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets is in charge of arrangements.
Larry Adams, 75, Boone, Iowa
