Jerry Adams
Jerry Adams, host of the popular KMOS-TV show,
Jerry Adams Outdoors, died Aug. 11, 2010. The avid outdoorsman hosted the show for 25 years. He was born and raised in Poplar Bluff, MO. After playing college football and graduating at Southeast Missouri State University, he traveled around the country singing and emceeing gospel music concerts. He was lead singer for the Ozarkians Quartet for more than 15 years. Nearly 25 years in the insurance business took him to Texas and Florida. A desire to be nearer his family drew him back to Missouri, and finding a home at the Lake of the Ozarks renewed his passion for fishing. Adams soon found himself behind the wheel of a boat as host of Jerry Adams Outdoors. In addition to many of Missouri’s lakes and rivers, the host of this Emmy-nominated and award-winning program ventured out and caught trout in Montana, crappie in Alabama, hybrids in Texas, and salmon and halibut in Alaska. While he considered it a privilege to have fished with so many celebrities, country music stars, professional athletes and professional anglers, Adams most cherished the time he spent with kids. Memorials are suggested to the Jerry Adams Outdoors Take a Kid Fishing Program, KMOS-TV, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO 64093. William Brewster
William J. Brewster, 85, a Central Missouri alumnus who was the driving force behind the development of many parks and programs for the youth of Independence, MO, died July 23, 2010. He and his wife, Dorothy, had established a scholarship to help Central Missouri physical education majors. Brewster grew up in St. Louis where his neighbor, Dorothy Peterson,
Oleta Maurer
captured his heart at age 16. He returned home to marry her in 1946, after serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After completing a degree in physical education from UCM in 1949, he taught at Greenwood School and Bishop Glennon High School followed by 25 years at Southwest High School. In 1966, he was honored as Missouri State Teacher of the Year. In 1956, he began a part-time job with the City of Independence Department of Parks and Recreation, leading to his promotion as its director for 36 years. The city recently named the baseball field at Chrysler Stadium Bill Brewster Field in his honor.
was the serials department. She was responsible for paying bills, keeping accounts and receiving mail. In 1980, she transferred to the acquisitions department as the bookkeeper for all library purchases. She retired in 2002.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the William & Dorothy Brewster and Nancy SaundersCromer Scholarship Fund, University of Central Missouri Foundation, Warrensburg, MO 64093 or at ucmo.edu/giveonline.
Fields grew up in New Mexico and was valedictorian of his high school class in Santa Fe. For his test scores, he received a national scholarship from Pepsi-Cola allowing him to graduate in music from Southern Methodist University. After one year of teaching music and chorus in Alva, OK, he was drafted into the Army for the Korean Conflict. Discharged as a corporal, he continued in the Army Active Reserve where he earned the rank of sergeant, while also finishing a master’s degree from the University of New Mexico.
Jean Greer Oppenheimer Britton
Jean Greer Oppenheimer Britton, the daughter of philanthropists Julius J. and Florence Greer Oppenheimer, known for establishing two of the university’s most prominent guest lecture series, died March 27, 2010. Born in 1923, in Columbia, MO, she grew up in Kentucky, where her father was a professor and dean at the University of Louisville. She earned degrees from Louisville, Columbia University and the University of Chicago. For many years, she taught in the College of Education at Penn State. She and her husband, Joseph Britton, who survives, coauthored many research articles and a book on gerontology. After retiring from Penn State, the couple traveled the world extensively and enjoyed many summers with family and friends at their cottage in Bay View, MI. Geneva Clothier
Geneva J. Clothier, 75, who retired from the UCM library’s technical services department, died Sept. 22, 2010. She worked 23 years for the library, quietly behind the scenes. Clothier began her job at the library in 1977 as a clerk in what
Gene Fields
Gene Fields, 81, director emeritus of clinical services and certification, well known for the many years that he directed the university’s student teaching and certification program, died Sept. 3, 2010. His wife preceded him in death in 2001.
After earning a doctorate of music education in 1965 from New Mexico, Fields moved to Warrensburg and joined the UCM faculty as assistant professor of education and supervisor of student teachers. One year later, he became coordinator of the student teaching program. He was subsequently promoted to assistant, associate and full professor. He directed UCM’s student teaching program from 1966-1981. For the next 12 years, he directed UCM’s clinical services and certification program. He especially became popular for teaching the graduate course, EDTE, Improvement of Teaching. Prior to his retirement in 1993, he led a six-year, campus-wide effort that resulted in successful continuing accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teaching Education in 1991. He also provided the leadership for the first program evaluation by the Missouri Department of Education.
Oleta Breshears Maurer, the youngest daughter of a family of educators with deep ties to the University of Central Missouri, died July 3, 2010. She was born May 3, 1916, in Benton County, MO, to Jasper and Martha Breshears. She earned three degrees from UCM: a bachelor’s in 1956, a master’s in 1960 and an education specialist in 1968. After teaching in one-room schools in Benton and Hickory counties, she taught in Raytown. From 1950-1984, she taught first grade in the Hickman Mills School District, including the last 12 as principal of Warford Elementary School. She retired in 1984 after 41 years in public education. After retiring, she became active with the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, including serving on its executive board for 10 years. In 1962 she received UCM’s Distinguished Service to Education Award. In 2003, she was honored as the Missouri Retired Teacher of the Year. Memorial contributions are suggested to the William Jasper and Martha Ann Breshears Memorial Scholarship Fund. Send contributions to the UCM Foundation, University of Central Missouri, Smiser Alumni Center, Warrensburg, MO 64093 or go to ucmo.edu/giveonline. Tina Schneider
Tina A. Schneider, 53, of Warrensburg, died Sept. 11, 2010. She was employed for 18 years at UCM, including several years as a textbook buyer and recently as a supply buye for the University Bookstore. She was born Aug. 23, 1957, in Lake Charles, LA. Her family later moved to Knob Noster, MO, where she graduated from high school. She married Mark Schneider in 1976. He survives, along with their three children, her parents, a brother and four grandchildren. Her sister, Traci Butler, works at UCM as administrative assistant to the dean of The Honors College.
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