Senator Thurmon Adams dies at 80

Thurman Adams died Tuesday. He was the longest serving state senator in Delaware history and one of the state’s most powerful politicians. The senate president pro tem from Bridgeville was 80 years old.

Thurman Adams died Tuesday. He was the longest serving state senator in Delaware history and one of the state’s most powerful politicians. The senate president pro tem from Bridgeville was 80 years old.

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[audio: 090623bcprotem.mp3]

For colleagues in legislative hall, the news was shocking and sad. Senator Robert Venables called Adams his best friend in the legislature. And he says what made Adams a great statesman was his ability to listen.

Venables: He never talked that much, that may be surprising to you, but he really didn’t. He was the listener, but when he talked, people listened, maybe because he didn’t talk that much, but they had great respect for his wisdom.

Family members say the senator was a blessed man. That he enjoyed working in state government and in the family business, a grain and farming company in Bridgeville, and that he did both right up to the final moments of his life.