He was a pain to some, annoying to others, frustrating to even more, and a thorn in the side to many.

Monday, April 10, 2000

He was a pain to some, annoying to others, frustrating to even more, and a thorn in the side to many. But he was also a friend to many more. No matter what you’re perception of Paul Adams was, he was his own man. He took life by the horns and didn’t let go.

Most people remember Paul as a former coach and an outstanding guidance counselor at South Point High School.

He was an outstanding guidance counselor because he truly cared about people and never denied a request for help, many times at his own time and expense.

He was tough on the outside, but equally as soft inside.

As a high school star in the three major sports at Parkersburg, W.Va., Paul signed a scholarship to play quarterback at Morehead State.

An injury and health problems interrupted his college career. He did spend a year in the Detroit Tigers minor league farm system as a hard-throwing lefthanded pitcher, but unfriendly ballparks and a young filly back home by the name of Betty Brown left him homesick.

Paul and Betty were married, raised four children – Crystal, Denise, Tammy, and Ironton All-Ohio tackle Craig – as he taught school and coached football.

When I learned Paul Adams had died last Thursday night, I felt a great personal loss. Paul McDaniels, Bobby Crockrel, Bob Heaberlin, and myself spent a lot of time at his home listening to stories and snacking on Betty’s food.

(Hey, if we were going to listen to Paul talk for hours upon hours to free Betty, she was going to feed us.)

Paul Adams might have upset a lot people and made them mad, even enemies, but he was a man of high moral character, great ethics, and unbinding loyalty. They were qualities he expected of his coaching staff, and he lived them in his own life and taught them to his children.

It was that desire for honesty that offended some co-workers. Paul didn’t mind pointing out their shortcomings or shortcuts when it was by their choice, not accident.

I can only remember the good things about Paul Adams. Maybe that’s because that’s all there is to remember.

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.