Gordon Keith obit

William Adams Obituary

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William Henry Adams, Jr. affectionately known as "Gordon Keith" and "Sonny" (age 81) was born on August 12, 1939 to the late Minnie Lee (Addison) Adams and William Henry Adams, Sr. in West Point, MS and departed this life for eternal rest on November 17, 2020. In addition to his parents Gordon was preceded in death by his son Victor Adams, sisters, Alma (Earl) Hanks, Helen (Will) Holland, and Alice Rose Gibson. Gordon was raised in East Chicago, IN and graduated from E.C. Washington High School. Gordon attended Indiana University NW where he studied accounting, and he proudly served in the United States Army. Shortly thereafter, Gordon relocated to Gary, Indiana and began his career at LTV (U.S. Steel) where he was a dedicated and loyal employee until his retirement. Above all Gordon loved his family and was a devoted father. He was a mentor to many, a Pioneer, Triumphant Leader, Activist, Musician, Radio Personality, Co-Founder of Steeltown Records (1966), and a Music Producer who wrote, produced, and contributed to many projects. Gordon's most notable musical contribution is having discovered Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, signing them to a management and recording contract in 1967 and producing their first single "Big Boy" released in 1968. Gordon has been recognized on various national platforms for his sincere passion for music and for launching Michael Jackson's successful career. Gordon was heavily involved in community outreach focused on saving families and efforts to rid the city of Gary of crime and violence; he earned a reputation as "The Humble Servant" or "Servant". Gordon was vocal about racial inequities and was a critical figure during the civil rights movement. Gordon was loved and well respected and never met a stranger; he had a love for God and even during his last months he imparted his love of God to his caregivers. Over the years Gordon attended and was a member of several committees, boards, non-profit organizations, and Churches; prior to his illness and passing he was a member of Spirit of God in Gary, IN. He leaves to cherish his memories daughters Yvette Adams, Kynesha (Deron) Swain, Kameka (Major) Sutton, and Tanya Stubblefield; sons Rondell Adams, Timothy (Mande) Adams, Kristopher Adams, Cory Adams, and Keyon Fuller, mothers of his children/former spouses the late Glories Ann McKinney-Wade, Loretta Adams, and Anita Fuller, special grandson who was like a son Devon Adams, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, and business acquaintances. Services will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Life Renewed Harvest Ministries 505 W. Ridge Rd. Gary, IN 46408. Visitation 9:00-11:00 AM and the funeral will be immediately after at 11:00 AM, an Honorable Veteran interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Services entrusted to Manuel Memorial Funeral Home.

Keith kept seeing placards around Gary advertising performances by a young group called the Jackson Five Plus Johnny (Johnny Jackson on drums who was not related to the five). He was intrigued by what the frequency and regularity of these signs implied about the high level of their commitment to their music.

Keith wanted to meet and talk with the Jackson 5 and their father Joe Jackson. He was able to get the Jackson family phone number in Gary from local musicians the Sherl Brothers who, like the Jackson 5, were taking lessons from Shirley Cartman, a local music teacher. He called Joe Jackson, and was invited over to the Jackson home on 2300 Jackson Street (named after President Andrew Jackson) to see the boys perform. As Keith recalls: "They set up right in the living room. The furniture was pushed back. They and their equipment took up pretty much the whole room. The whole family was there; Janet was a babe in arms. They were getting ready and there was a thick chord stretched between two of the amps Michael was near. It came up to his chest. From right where he was standing, without a running start, he jumped straight up from a flat-footed position right over this chord to clear it. He had all my attention from there on. I knew I was looking at a boy who was superhuman. When they sang, Michael sang like an angel. Jermaine also had a great voice. Jackie could carry a tune. Marlon could really dance. But when Michael danced, all while singing, he blew away James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Fred Astaire, and anyone else you can name. They sang some James Brown, 'Cold Sweat', Jackie Wilson, "Doggin' Around", some Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, 'My Girl' and 'Just My Imagination'. Well, I was flabbergasted. Knocked out. Blown away. Speechless."