Arthur Roy "Art" Adcock

ARTHUR ADCOCK

  Art was born on July 1, 1937, to Lillian (Babcock) and Roy Adcock in Ignacio, Colo. He passed away July 9, 2024 in his home in Bremerton, Wash. surrounded by his loving family.

 Art leaves behind a loving family who will cherish his memory, his brother, Clayton (Janet) Adcock of Parachute, Colo.; his sister, Sharon (Jerry) Mason of Farmington, N.M.; his children, Brent (Marty) Adcock of Anton, Tex., and Nikki (Larry) Hartman of Bremerton, Wash.; his grandchildren, Hayley (Mike) Widhalm, Mark Hartman, Kaci (Clint) Cechan, and Kyle (Stephanie) Pikala; and his great-grandchildren, Harper, Graham, Brady, and Lacey. Art was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ellavern; his parents; his brothers, Ronald, Loren, and Dickie Adcock; and his sister, Thelma Bertrand.

 Art was raised in Durango, attending Cottonwood, Thompson, and Orr schools on the Florida Mesa, Smiley Junior High, and Durango High School, graduating in 1955. He attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., and graduated with honors from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo. in 1961. His fondest childhood memories were those spent on the football field, where he found his place in sports. When he wasn't playing sports, he worked various jobs for area families, forming lifelong friendships and developing a powerful work ethic. Through these families' love and support, he learned invaluable lessons about life, resilience, and compassion. His passion for football not only provided him with a sense of belonging but also instilled in him the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. The diverse jobs he held during his youth exposed Art to a wide range of perspectives and life situations. The values of hard work, resilience, and compassion that Art cultivated in his formative years, became the cornerstones of his character. 

 In the summer of 1960, Art went on a blind date with Ellavern where he spent the evening telling her jokes. They fell in love and were married on August 27, 1961. They raised their two children in the beautiful Mancos Valley. Throughout their 61 years of marriage, their love and commitment to each other only grew stronger. Their home in the Mancos Valley became a hub of warm memories. They loved spending time in the La Plata mountains, hunting, camping, riding horses, and ATV’s. Their decision to relocate to Washington State in 2022 strengthened their family bonds across generations. Despite the change in scenery, they carried with them the spirit of their Colorado roots, sharing stories of their life in Southwestern Colorado with new friends and neighbors.

 The years spent at Mancos High School were treasured memories of teaching kids driver’s education, woodworking, and leather tooling skills. It's been truly touching to hear from so many of his former students about the profound impact he had on their lives. Time and again, we've heard stories of how he went above and beyond his role as an educator, teaching not just woodworking and driver’s ed, but also imparting invaluable life skills. His legacy lives on through the countless individuals he inspired and the positive influence he had on so many lives. Art's story serves as a testament to the profound impact that dedicated educators can have on their students. 

 Art’s love for his family was boundless, he was truly an amazing father. The special bond he shared with his wife, Ellavern; their granddaughter, Hayley; and great-granddaughter, Harper was a testament to his devotion. Art's quiet strength and unwavering dedication to his family served as an inspiration to all who knew him. His approach to parenting was unique and powerful, he led by example rather than lecturing. This method shaped his children and grandchildren into the independent, thoughtful individuals they are today.