Mary Kathleen Harris Adams, 1942-2018
History captivated Mary Kathleen Harris Adams. When she moved to the relatively small town of Ponca City from her native Wichita, Kan., Kathy arrived with a warm smile, infectious laugh, and an amazement at the possibilities this town of 24,000 offered. Along with her training as an historian, writer and business marketer, Kathy had an appreciative eye for the talents others possessed. She could spot a special talent while having a casual conversation on a Grand Avenue sidewalk or listening to the friendly debates between the mid-morning coffee regulars. She filed away mental notes on a neighbor’s ability to organize, a Chamber member’s talent for soothing ruffled feathers, a teacher’s ability to calm a rowdy clan of young teens, or the otherwise shy wallflower’s mastery of numbers and balances.
As a result, Kathy was fearless in taking on monumental projects. Before saying “yes” to helping create a festival or co-author local history books, Kathy envisioned the top-flight team of locals she would persuade to join the adventure. She brought out the best in others. Through her inspiration and leadership, she made a tangible, lasting impact on her adopted hometown. And now Mary Kathleen “Kathy” Adams is at rest.
Kathy Adams, 75, died Saturday, Sept. 22 in Newton, Kansas, as a result of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Mary Kathleen Harris was born Oct. 24, 1942 in Wichita, Kan., to Lucian Roy and Mary Margaret Schrader Harris. She attended Wichita schools and graduated Wichita East High School with the class of 1960. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wichita State University in 1964. In 1967, Kathy earned a master’s degree in English and history from Kansas State University. She went on to own and operate an advertising agency and serve in leadership roles within Wichita’s professional media community. Kathy met Gaylord “Dennis” Adams in 1982. The couple wed Oct. 24, 1984 and made their first home in Wichita. They also lived in Greensboro, N.C. before returning to Wichita.
In 1987, Kathy was named general manager of Ponca City’s WBBZ, 1230 AM, one of America’s five oldest radio stations west of the Mississippi. In accepting the position, Kathy stated “I’m excited about my new position at WBBZ and am looking forward to taking an active role in the community.” Never have truer words been spoken. Over the next three decades, Kathy lived her personal mantra, “If you’re going to do it, do it up right.” She helped lead the charge to create a holiday event for Ponca City that would become a regional tourism destination: The Festival of Angels. She also was particularly devoted to the Cherokee Strip celebrations marking Ponca City’s birth, culminating with the Centennial in 1993.
In 1996, Kathy joined the City of Ponca City staff as director of Marland Estate and Marland’s Grand Home, a position she held for six years. Under her leadership and through the support of the foundations for each mansion, mission statements were created, volunteer roles expanded, hours of operation and event fees raised and an Inventory Management System was established. As a result, revenue grew by 40 percent. Restoration work at both mansions, Lydie’s Cottage, the Artist Studio and Petroleum Museum reached new milestones. Tourists from across the world are drawn to Ponca City to enjoy the historical attractions.
After stepping down as Director in 2002, Kathy turned her formidable energies to chronicling the historic homes of Ponca City. She joined architect and former Ponca Citian John Walton to co-author “Historic Homes of Ponca City and Kay County.” This hardcover collector’s book, published in 2004, features some 100 homes with over 100 photographs along with stories of the homes and the people who lived in them. In 2005, the duo built upon the first book’s success with the publication of “More Historic Homes of Ponca City.”
Kathy ventured out on her own to research and write “A Chronicle of Ponca City Mayors, 1873-2007.” It was published in 2008. In reflecting on her vision for this book, Kathy was quoted in The Ponca City News, “In composing this book, I tried to present the personalities of our mayors, as well as their backgrounds … and at the same time, incorporate the history of this wonderful city that they presided over.” Additionally, Kathy enjoyed working as administrator of Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council. As she often said, “Whether right or wrong, if you learned something today then the day has not been wasted.”
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Mary Harris; her brother, John; and a grandson, Anthony Lambert. She is survived by husband Dennis Adams, Sr.; two daughters, Lori Kathleen Schock and husband Brent; and Robby Andrea Murray and husband Phillip. She also is survived by three sons, Roy Andrew Harris, Dennis Adams, Jr. and wife Jennifer, and Michael Anthony Adams. She also is survived by Roberto Aguilar, Jr., whom she loved and raised as a son. Also surviving Kathy are 10 grandchildren: Matthew Tyler Schock, Rian Adam Schock, Morgan Elizabeth Schock, Christopher Michael Adams, Brandon Michael Chauvin, Dustin Joseph Chauvin, McKenzie Danielle Adams, Clayton McCoy Adams, Jake Adams and Brian Michael Adams. She is survived by her brother, Rev. James Harris as well as nine great-grandchildren.
The family suggests those wishing to memorialize Kathy consider Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74601; First Christian Church Friendship Feast, 210 N. Fifth St., Ponca City, OK 74601; or a charity of their choice.
Son Dennis said of this very loving wife and mother, “Her smile was one thing, but the laugh I can never forget.”
