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Late Herman Adams hailed as patriot, strong voice for veterans
YOUNGSTOWN
With the death of Herman R. Adams, the Youngstown community lost a patriot and strong voice for veterans, particularly black veterans from his generation who didn’t get the recognition they deserved.
The Veterans Day and Memorial Day programs he organized for VFW Donald Lockett Post 6488 featured a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and topics including Montford Point, N.C., where black recruits received segregated basic training from 1942 to 1949.
Adams, 86, a World War II Army veteran, died Dec. 22. His funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday in Tabernacle Baptist Church, 707 Arlington St., where friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by F.D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home.
“Herman was like a brother,” said Lock P. Beachum Sr., who was a principal at North and East high schools, served on city council for 10 years, Youngstown Board of Education for 16 years and in many local and national offices, including the National League of Cities Board of Directors and National School Board Association.
“Herman was a mentor and personal friend who helped me in many ways, especially when I first came to Youngstown in 1965. Without him I would not have been able to achieve the goals I reached,” said Beachum, who served in the Army from 1953 to 1956 in Germany.
A former commander of VFW Post 6488, which he helped found, Adams was a shop steward for 35 years at LTV Steel and the first black member of Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Among Adams’ proudest moments were Jay Williams becoming the first black mayor of Youngstown and Barack Obama becoming the first black president.
“Those were events he didn’t think he’d live to see,” Beachum said.
Long-time friend Lloyd Mims, immediate past commander of Post 6488, described Adams as a dedicated member of the VFW and committed to recognizing and honoring all service members, especially black members who had not been recognized for their service.
“Post 6488 and the community will miss Herman,” Mims said.
“Mr. Adams was one of the most intelligent persons I’ve ever known,” said the Rev. William J. Blake, director of the Office of Student Diversity Programs at Youngstown State University.
The Rev. Mr. Blake, who made several presentations at Adam’s Post 6488 programs, said Adams was very much interested in history, particularly in black history.
“I have a great deal of respect for him. I don’t know of anybody who would say no to him. He was like the general for the community in bringing attention to those who had been a part of military. He will be missed,” said Mr. Blake, who is also pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Dennison.
“Herman was a first-class patriot. He respected military service and did his military service despite the difficulties for minorities at that time,” said Youngstown Municipal Judge Robert P. Milich.
“He was probably one of the best organizers I’ve ever seen. I worked with him on veterans programs. You could count on him calling up at least twice a year on programs. He did it very nicely, but he did the follow-up,” said Milich, who served four years on active duty in the Air Force and retired as a lieutenant colonel after 24 additional years at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
“Herman is going to be missed. He kept a low profile. His goal in life was to recognize those people who made sacrifices. The last few years, he had trouble working on his computer, so I’d track down the information he wanted. Then he’d work from his home on the telephone, like it was a command post. He was unique. There will never be another Herman,” the judge said.