Robert M. Adams

Robert Marrion (Bob) Adams of Cozad passed away Friday, January 15, 2021 at the Cozad Community Hospital at the age of 89. Bob was born June 3, 1931, in Hastings, Nebraska to George M. and Pansy L (Harritt) Adams. When about 4 years old he was entered in a National Baby Contest sponsored by Sears Roebuck & Co., which he won for the State of Nebraska and was declared Mr. Nebraska.

At about this time he moved with his parents to a farm in the Rosedale area of Hall County. The Rosedale community consisted of an Evangelical church, parsonage, small barn and chicken house that ministers used to supplement their income. Across the road were a country high school and a smaller building for a country grade school. The church (now United Methodist) is still in use and the only structure remaining.

Bob was very proud of this community and attended grade school in the one room structure. The high school discontinued operation in 1944, and Bob then went to high school in Doniphan, Nebraska. Graduating in 1949, he continued to follow Doniphan's sporting events in the news. He was proud of being the captain of the 1948 undefeated six man football team.

In 1950, Bob graduated from the National Railroad School in Omaha, Nebraska and hired out to the Union Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher-clerk on May 2, 1950, then on June 9, 1950, received his seniority date. He worked for 41 years, and was the last local agent for the railroad in Cozad, Nebraska.

He did other part-time work on farms, drayed freight, and worked a couple years at Hunt Cleaners. He often said, "I worked a second job so my wife could stay home AND RAISE the family." He enjoyed travel, and his hobbies included coin collecting and wood turning.

He enjoyed good (and some not so good) stories and was a gifted storyteller himself. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and enjoyed many good friends and relatives.

On May 3, 1951, he married his high-school sweetheart, Mary Harrell, the great love of his life and devoted wife of 68 years. To this union three sons and two daughters were born. Bob is survived by son Jarold M. of Cozad, son Steven R. (Chellie) of Lewisville, TX, daughter Harrell A. of Concordia, KS, and son Colin B. (Monica) of Lenexa, KS, sister Carol Beukenhorst of Grand Island, NE, brother-in-law Stephen Harrell (Barbara) of Waddell, AZ, daughter-in-law Melanie Marler Adams of Concordia, KS, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, parents, daughter Debra, and son-in-law Dick Wolff.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for local missions at Cozad United Methodist Church, 1515 Avenue B, Cozad Nebraska 69130. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. A private funeral service will be live streamed Friday, January 22, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. on the Cozad UMC YouTube Channel or Cozad UMC Facebook page. Public graveside services will follow at 2:15 p.m. at Cozad Cemetery with Pastor Doug Gahn officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.