In atheistempire@yahoogroups.com, "Godless Grief" <catheb@...> wrote:

A leader of the free thought movement, and a member of the local
Freethought Society here in Las Vegas is now a memory. Clark Adams,
who many of you know from his wonderful speeches, and visits to
conferences around the United States died this past weekend and I'm
sure those of you who have known and admired him, as I have, will find
his death a great sorrow.

The details aren't important, but what is important is that he spent
the last few hours of his life with friends at a comedy show,
surrounded by some great Atheists, and laughing. I wish all of us
could die on a night when we were laughing and enjoying ourselves. So
many of us die when we are in deep pain, or on medical apparati. So
many of us die when we have no friends, or anyone who can know that we
were friends. Clark had many people who were close to him, and that's
a very special gift we can only give ourselves.

Originally Clark and his former bride Jenn were supposed to write the
foreword to Godless Grief. Through errors on my part, I ended up
asking Margaret Downey to do the duty. Clark was almost relieved,
because he already had several conferences and speeches on his plate,
plus events scheduled for the Las Vegas Freethought Society. Jenn and
he were married when I asked, and split when the foreword was due, so
it was another bit of maneuvering that was unnecessary. But, they were
both agreeable to writing a book jacket blurb and I was still
expecting one.

We chatted a few months back at the James Randi Educational
Foundation's Amazing Meeting, alongside his girl friend Judy. Judy as
somewhat of a surprise to many people. Clark had often battled
self-esteem issues, which often was about his weight. He lost quite a
lot in recent years, slimming down, almost stubbornly so, to a svelt
thin version of Peter Griffin from Family Guy's episode where Peter
gets liposuction? That one? Picture that and you have Clark. He had
been with Jenn for many years, but his commitments to so many other
things outside of his marriage often came first. He wasn't the one
people would think would find love first, but it was almost a shock to
some that he did. But those who knew Clark best probably weren't as
surprised.

Whether he knew it or not, whether he believed it or not, he was
attractive for qualities more than looks. He had charisma, and charm,
and an intelligence that was very beautiful. When he was married to
Jenn, the two of them were the most beautiful couple for that reason.
And they remained the best of friends for that reason. So when Clark
started dating not too long after the split, I was very glad, and very
happy for him, although more sad for Jenn. Here was this raven haired,
stunning woman, who could, by all rights be a full figured model-- and
the man who had the self-esteem issues was already finding love! Isn't
this a weird planet?

For the last few months, she grew more into her independence, and he
was always seen with Judy. Judy is a very kind, smart gal who is
probably not having the best few days at the moment. Many people are
still unaware that Jenn and Clark were divorced. So I'm sure this
break up, plus the death will be very hard on Judy. Fortunately, there
are friends that do understand, and will be there for both women. I
remember when another friend of mine died, there was a long term
relationship that many people were aware of, but because there was an
unorthodox lifestyle, there was a second person in the relationship
others weren't aware of, and so it was very difficult for this third
person. I worry for Judy she'll feel the same sort of issues.

In the grander scheme, Clark has already left a mark that the world
will have to contend with, and that is the idea that dozens upon
dozens of Atheists now exist because he as "wisened up" many who have
spoken to him. He's enlightened people-- brightened them. Penn and
Teller have awards presented to them by Clark, and many websites carry
Clark's speeches.

I recommend some of you read his works, and visit his Freethought
pages. Some are listed below. The man may be gone, but his memory and
his work will never die. And, as long as his friends continue to
remember him, the love we had for him will also live on.

http://www.k-state.edu/freethought/CAPR.html

http://www.ffrf.org/fttoday/2002/oct02/adams.php

http://www.users.qwest.net/~jcosta3/quotes.html

For what it's worth, I was supposed to speak to the Las Vegas
Freethought Society this coming month about Godless Grief. And this
past month, Clark helped me find contacts for Virginia Tech students.
That's a chain linked, and necessary.

Cathe Jones