Adam Wilson

Adam Wilson, 41, of Mason, OH, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior in his home, on Saturday January 6, 2024 after a courageous battle with ALS. Adam was the devoted and loving father of Avery Wilson, the light of his life.  He also is survived by his loving parents, Tim and Jan Wilson, and his sister, Abby Wilson.  He was so special to aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Adam grew up in Symmes Township, attending Sycamore Schools.  He was active in sports during his childhood, playing baseball throughout, and then varsity Volleyball at SHS. His high school years also found him active in Faith Bible Church youth group—participating in Bible Studies, leading worship music, and going on mission trips to Cherokee, NC.   After graduation, Adam attended The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Business, and soon began his career at J&N Auto Electric, culminating in the position of Purchasing Mgr.  He enjoyed the people he worked with, the international travel, and mostly the details of his work—proudly sporting the t-shirt which said, “I’ve Got A Spreadsheet For That”! 

Adam’s faith was evident in every phase of his life. At the age of 8, Adam accepted Jesus as his Savior, and began his new life in Christ.  His growth in that relationship helped to mold Adam into the man he would become—filled with and displaying joy, faithfulness, perseverance, and endurance. That joy and settled peace served him to the very end when he was finally free of his ravaged body and joined his Lord for eternity.

Music was important to Adam—he began playing guitar at a young age and eventually wrote and recorded songs for two CDs. He played various venues in college and after, and also led worship music at his church-- one of his greatest frustrations with ALS was loss of his hand movement, preventing him from playing his guitar. Even when he was disabled and paralyzed, he received great pleasure in listening to music, gathering friends’ “favorites lists” on social media, and playing a wide variety of music for his daughter Avery.  And anyone who knew Adam knew his favorite music of all time—the Beatles.

In March of 2015, Adam’s life was drastically changed with the devastating diagnosis of ALS. With the average lifespan being 2-5 yrs, he and his family prepared for what was sure to follow. He continued activities as normally as his body would allow, not knowing that for him it would be an almost decade long battle.  He often said one of the hardest parts was not knowing what loss he would wake up with the next day. He persevered as best he could, still even attending Avery’s cheer FB games and activities as late as this fall.  Although he lost all ability to move and speak, Adam still managed to communicate by typing with his eyes on a special computer (which allowed him to “speak” through it), followed the Reds and his sport teams daily, and stayed active in the lives of his family and many friends.

In the midst of his ALS battle, Adam became involved with a grassroots group that began with the idea of establishing a Lou Gehrig Day for Major League Baseball, to bring awareness to the disease which bears his name. Working tirelessly for almost 2 yrs contacting players, Hall of Famers, front office and CEOs of MLB clubs, they finally reached the magic personnel who agreed- why ISN’T there a Lou Gehrig day??  And so with Adam motionless in his recliner and typing with his eyes, he managed to chair the committee and help bring Lou Gehrig Day to MLB on June 2 of every season. And millions would now be aware of ALS.

The signature of Adam was his smile. Throughout his life, and in the days when his body failed him, his smile remained. And nothing made him smile more than his time with Avery. Whether watching her cheer, solve Wordle together, play games, or watch funny videos he played from his eyegaze computer, their time together was filled with his total unending love for her. And his smile, sense of humor, and clever wit continued to bring laughter to everyone. He sought out and enjoyed humor in media and joked with Avery and friends. As one friend said, “to know Adam is to love him”. And Adam was filled with a faithful love for them as well.   His friendships, his faith, his family, his Avery.  It’s what kept him focused and enabled him to fight the good fight and finish the race.  Well done, Adam.  We love you.