John Rodger Adams

John Rodger Adams, 88, passed away on January 12, 2026 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ruth (née Froehlich) Adams, his two children, Catherine Marie Adams and Robert Rodger Adams, two grandchildren, Alex and Juan Thomasser, and two great grandchildren, Kellen Thomasser and Elaina Thomasser Martinez. 

Rodger was born on April 15, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to John Henry Adams and Frances Rodger Adams. He attended primary schools in Milwaukee and after graduating from Marquette High School, attended the School of Engineering at Marquette University. While there, he met Barbara Ruth Froehlich and they began a romance that led to a marriage that lasted 63 years. 

After graduating from Marquette and marrying Barbara, Rodger attended Michigan State University and received a PhD in Civil Engineering. While in Lansing, Michigan, his two children, Catherine Marie Adams and Robert Rodger Adams, were born. 

Upon graduation, Rodger accepted a teaching position at Leigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the family relocated. After 5 years, Rodger decided to use his skills for research and the family moved to Urbana, Illinois where his children attended school and Barbara pursued her advanced education.

In January 1975, Rodger began his journey to ordination as a permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. He was ordained on December 12,1976 and proudly continued his work with the church for the remainder of his life. 

After an early retirement in 1991, Rodger and Barbara moved to San Francisco where Rodger attended the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley to further his education. The couple moved to Ventura in 1993 and Rodger continued his ministry full time.

In 2018, Rodger and Barbara relocated to Napa to be closer to family; Rodger continued in his ministry, enjoyed his many hobbies and watched his family grow. The family enjoyed getting together to celebrate the holidays and watch sports, particularly his Green Bay Packers and the Marquette Golden Eagles. Rodger was an active member of Rotary International for many years, attending meetings and conventions around the world. Rodger also had a keen interest in trains, traveling on trains as his health allowed, visiting train museums and working on his model train layout. Rodger had a refined taste in food and wine, evident by his frequent trips to the local farmers' markets, and sampling many wines from Napa and nearby. 

Rodger passed away from natural causes on January 12, 2026.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Apollinaris Church in Napa on January 28 1:00 pm with internment at Tulocay Cemetery immediately afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rotary Club of North Napa or Society of St.Vincent de Paul at St. Apollinaris Church.

Condolences and words of sympathy may be sent to the family on line at www.tulocaycemetery.org 
 

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