Clark Boyden Adams lived a life defined by adventure, resilience, and deep devotion to family. A true Vermonter at heart, he found delight in the outdoors, strength in hard work, and meaning in the relationships he built as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Clark was born on July 23, 1936, at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington, Vermont, the son of Harold Wilson Adams, M.D., and Dorothy Boyden Adams, R.N., both graduates of the University of Vermont.

He grew up in Somersworth, New Hampshire, in a home where his father’s medical practice began in the living room, with his mother answering the phone.

His early education took place at Emerson School for Boys in Exeter, New Hampshire, where he developed a lifelong love of skiing. Summers during those years were spent at his grandparents’ Boyden home in Cambridge, Vermont, were especially memorable.

At age 13, he took his first job washing dishes at a restaurant, where he learned the value of hard work, encouraged by his father, who promised to double his pay if he completed the summer.

Throughout his childhood, summers at Moody Beach, Maine, were filled with joy - clam digging, swimming, biking, playing pool, photography, and time with family.

During his years at Somersworth High School, he reconnected with lifelong childhood friends and embraced the outdoors, enjoying skiing at Tuckerman’s Ravine, as well as water skiing, boating, bird and deer hunting, and camping. He also skied Stowe, Smugglers Notch, and many other destinations across North America and Europe throughout his lifetime.

Alongside these adventures he also experienced profound hardship, including the loss of his six-year-old sister, Jan, and, at age sixteen, the tragic death of his father in a car accident, leaving his younger brothers then aged twelve and eight.

After high school, he spent a year in Rutland, Vermont with his grandparents, building an inboard ski boat powered by a 150 HP Ford engine, with help from his grandfather.

He was proud to be one of the first people to ski Smugglers Notch Skiways, in Jeffersonville, VT with cousins Fred Boyden and Norman Nye in 1956. They were invited to ride a Tucker Snow Cat to the top of Sterling Mountain and ski down before the resort officially opened.

Clark joined the U.S. Navy in 1956, serving as an ordnance petty officer on the USS Forrestal during an eight-month Mediterranean tour, with opportunities to visit many ports of call. This experience fostered his lifelong love of travel and adventure. After four years of military service, he continued his education at Becker Junior College in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he majored in Retail Business Management.

Clark met Lois at a UNH college weekend event known as “MERP” (Male Economic Recovery Program). They married in 1963 and built a life together filled with partnership, laughter, and shared experiences. They raised two daughters, Kimberly Joy and Pamela Cheryl, living first in Hooksett and later in Manchester, New Hampshire, where they owned their first home. In 1978, the family moved to Jericho, Vermont, where Clark managed Almy’s Department Store at the University Mall and later The Home Lighting Store in Williston. His professional career spanned almost four decades in retail management.

He belonged to the Smugglers 55+ Club, continuing his love for skiing and the Silver Streakers cycling group, where he rode in the lead on his LightSpeed well into his 80’s. He skydived at 60 just to prove he could and gardened enthusiastically in friendly competition with Vermont’s deer population. He shared a special bond with Cousin Fred Boyden, and enjoyed hunting, boating, sugaring, and spirited political discussions.

There were many family camping and skiing trips, and he took great joy in attending his grandchildren’s athletic and school events. He especially enjoyed teaching them to ski at Smugglers’ Notch and consistently led by example in remaining active. He was also an avid sports fan, with a particular fondness for the Red Sox, Patriots, and UVM hockey.

Clark had a quiet faith, serving in many capacities at the Jericho United Methodist Church. He valued friendship, service, and showing up on time.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lois; daughter Kimberly Adams (Michael Mashtare), their children Meredith and Ethan; and his daughter Pamela Marquis (Michael Marquis), her daughter, Gwenyth, as well as Michael’s children, Justin, Andrew, Spencer. He is also survived by his brothers Bill Adams (Sue), and their children Amy, Jenny; and Alan Adams (Vicki) and their children Chris and Dan.

The celebration of Clark’s life will be held at the Jericho United Methodist Church at 1:00 pm on May 2, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson Voice Project, 646 N. Colt Road, Suite 2250, Richardson, Texas 75080 or The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), c/o Jericho United Methodist Church, PO Box 213, Jericho, VT 05465 in memory of Clark.

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