Worker, Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Company, Winslow, Bainbridge Island, WA, prior to World War II; here, Adams met the master wooden shipbuilder, Charles E. Taylor, co-founder of Taylor-GrandyCompany, Shipbuilders, and Superintendent of the Elliott Bay Shipbuilding Company. Lieutenant, US Navy, World War II; he served aboard landing crafts in the South Pacific, North Africa and Europe. Partner, [Alfons V.] Peterson and Adams, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1951- ; He shared an office with partner, Alfons V. Peterson, in the Smith Tower from at least 1956-1963. They occupied Room #1905 (1956-1958), #2008 (c. 1959) and #3202 (c. 1963). He lived on Bainbridge Island and commuted on a 5:45 a.m. ferry to Seattle. His office in the Smith Tower overlooked Puget Sound, and Adams shaped his practice to specialize in shoreline architecture.

Attended Rolling Bay School, Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island, WA. Graduate, Roosevelt High School, Seattle, WA. B.Arch., University of Washington, Seattle (UW), Seattle, WA.

B.Arch., University of Washington, Seattle (UW), Seattle, WA, c. 1944.

John Adams lived most of his life on Bainbridge Island, WA. His parents and grandparents had maintained residences there before him, the former in Rolling Bay and the latter in Manitou Beach.

His father was Harold Wallace Adams (b. 1885 in Paris, IL), who operated an architectural practice in Seattle, WA, between c. 1908-1954. His mother was Elizabeth Wallace Adams ((born 03/14/1884 in SD), who kept house and raised John and his sister, Margaret (born c. 1916 in Seattle-d. 1996).

John Wallace Adams married Sara Jane Atkinson (d. 1967).

He and Jane had two children: Laurie Adams Phillips and Thomas. He lived in Hansville, WA, at the time of his father's death.

Adams was an avid sailor, and was a founding member of the Port Madison Yacht Club (PMYC) on Bainbridge Island. He was the PMYC's second Commodore in 1956. SSN: 535-14-3091.