Thompson (Tom) Adams, 86, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Evanston Hospital.

Tom was born on July 24, 1938, to Ross Adams and Olive (Thompson) Adams in Battle Creek, MI. He was raised in Battle Creek where he learned to sail on Goguac Lake. His love for sailing blossomed early on and continued to be a major part of his life, especially Star sailing.

Tom graduated Lakeview High School in Battle Creek and went on to graduate from Northwestern University in 1962 where he met his wife Marilyn (Thomas) Adams of Evanston, IL.

After Northwestern he joined the United States Coast Guard and served on the ice breaker Mackinaw in the Great Lakes and later joined the reserves.

On April 24, 1965, Tom and Marilyn married and were blessed with two sons Ross Thomas and David Marshall.

Tom held several corporate positions before becoming an entrepreneur who started ARO Spars, a manufacturer of masts for racing sailboats, and Resource Economics, which imported chemicals.

Tom's first love was always sailing. In addition to running ARO Spars, He won the 1973 Star North Americans and took 4th place in the 1975 Star Worlds. He was also active in Star class management in the 1980s serving as technical committee chairman for several years.

Tom is survived by his wife of 59 years Marilyn (Thomas) Adams. Two sons Ross (Jennifer) Adams and David Adams, three granddaughters Dorothy, Ericka, and Casey, brother-in-law Ben Thomas and nephews Jeff (Anne) Young and Brad (Christi) Young and their children.