PROFILE
Ron Adams Spreading Joy & Love Throughout the Year by Sarah Leslie Gagan December is the season when our thoughts turn to the magic and wonder of Christmas. We begin to plan good deeds for others and thoughtfully buy gifts to show our respect for those we love. It’s a season of kindness that lasts a few weeks at most, but for Ron Adams, it’s a season that has lasted a lifetime. Known as Bartlesville’s very own “Santa Claus,” Ron grew up here, attending Labadie Heights School through the 8th grade. He went on to attend 9th grade at Central Junior High, then spend his high school years at College High School, graduating in 1965. Ron’s parents, Mary and Jack Adams, were well known in the community, as Jack was a local milkman. Music has always been a great love of Ron’s. He began learning and practicing at a young age. During his high school years, he and his brother, Lonnie, played together in a band, with Ron playing steel guitar. They were well known for playing at several venues. Ron also sang and played the tambourine with the group, and earned the nickname of Mr. Tambourine Man. He has many fond memories of attending concerts with friends, seeing legends such as The Grateful Dead and The Doors. After high school, Ron spent the summer with his uncle in Seattle and loved the scenery. He came back to Oklahoma and attended Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College in Miami, later transferring to Oklahoma State University. The transfer to a large university from a relatively small one was a culture shock for Ron, but he adapted and graduated with a degree in business. Ron enjoyed 40-plus years in the lending and banking industry, spending more than 30 years at Arvest Bank in Bartlesville. He married and he and his wife, Debi, have a daughter, Lindsey. Lindsey was born with some health challenges that sparked the desire in Ron to do what he could to make the world a special place for
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children. He saw the need for children to be allowed to simply be children, without the rush to grow up. Ron became a Shriner in 1989 and began performing as a professional clown. This provided him with an outlet to bring joy to children in a way that he craved. As Corky T. Clown, Ron spent many hours bringing smiles and laughter to others through his whimsical kindness. He performed regularly at the Kiddie Park with his close friend Bruce “Boo Boo the Clown”
