David Garvey Adams

David Garvey Adams, 81, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, with his family by his side. He was known to those he loved as Dave, Garvey, ‘Uncle Dave’, and his most treasured title, Grandpa, to ‘his boys’.

Dave was born on May 16, 1944, to Maurice and Dolores (Garvey) Adams in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up on the East Side of Des Moines and lived most of his life with his wife Jan and his daughter Coral on the South Side. Dave and Jan retired in Waukee to be near their daughter and grandsons.

Dave graduated from Dowling High School in 1963. While in High School he worked at his parents’ drug store, Adams Pharmacy, where he met his wife, Janice Smith, when she applied for a cashier’s position. From that day on, the two were partners for life. They wed on July 23, 1966 and shared 59 wonderful years of marriage.

Dave joined the Air National Guard and served as a firefighter for the Iowa Air National Guard 132nd Wing for seven years. He became a Des Moines International Airport Firefighter and retired in 1999. Dave always worked a part time job: As a printer at Computer Papers in the 70’s; co-owner of All Iowa Pump and Spray in the early 80’s with a fellow firefighter and friend; and owner/operator of Paint Pump Pros with his business partner, retiring in 2001. In addition to full and part time jobs, he was always painting, building, or fixing something for anyone who asked for his help.

He loved spending time with his grandkids, taking them in his truck for trips to Menards, or watching them at their sporting events. Dave loved all the dogs in his life and his beloved buddy “Rigby” was able to see him in the hospital, just before he passed. He enjoyed riding his three motorcycles when he was younger and adored the time he spent with his great granddaughter, Lulu.

Dave was fiercely hard working, protective of his family and friends, and never knew a stranger. Whenever someone needed help, he would always say, “Let’s take a look at it and see what I can do.”

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Dolores Adams; his infant daughter, Penny; brother, Maury Adams; sister, Dorie Cockerham; Jan’s parents, Ray and Marie Smith; brother-in-law, Chuck Cockerham; and sister-in-law, Rosemary Adams.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife, Jan; his daughter, Coral Davis; grandsons Colin Davis (Amyra) and Calvin Davis; great granddaughter, Lulu Mae Davis; brother, Richard Adams; sister-in-law JoAnn Adams, sister-in-law, Joyce Hendrix; brother-in-law, Kenny Smith; many adored nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and many treasured friends and neighbors.

A Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee, Iowa on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. A private family burial will be at Glendale Cemetery following the lunch.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) Foundation, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation or Habitat for Humanity.