Cal Adams

Cal Adams, long time resident of La Canada Flintridge, whose career in the Los Angeles grocery business and food industry spanned 45 years, died on January 12, 2012 in Los Angeles at the age of 87.

Calvert (Cal) Byrne Adams was born on December 9, 1924 in Los Angeles, California to Calvert Bristol Adams and Geraldine Byrne Adams. He had one sister, Mary Julia (Julie) Foley who preceded him in death. After graduating from Eagle Rock High School with the class of winter 1943, he served in the US Army in WWII, and returned to attend Loyola University on the GI bill. While there he met and married Marian Carlson, daughter of Nels and Gunhild Carlson.

Cal began his long career in the food industry with Vons Grocery Company in Los Angeles in 1947 as a retail clerk and store manager. He worked for Clarks Markets, Royal Crown Cola, and Del Monte Foods before joining Dole Foods of Castle & Cooke where he became Regional Sales Manager for the Western States. In the 1970’s he went on to become President, and with his partners, owner of the food brokerage firm of Crown/BBK. He served as Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 1989. In retirement he worked as a consultant to the food industry.

Cal was a member of the Oakmont Country Club where he served on the board and as chairman of the building program in charge of remodeling the clubhouse. Cal was a member of the Jonathan Club and most recently served as chairman of the Seniors Committee. He and Marian were 27 year residents of La Canada and later, Pasadena, California. They loved the Southern California desert and owned a home at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage where they entertained family and friends. Cal was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marian. He is survived by their three daughters, Leslie McGilvray of Santa Cruz, California, Cathleen Adams of New York City, and Laura Langdon of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and their two grandsons, Daniel McGilvray of Los Angeles and Christopher McGilvray of Palo Alto, and their two great grandchildren, Holly McGilvray and Chloe McGilvray.

Donations in memory of Calvert and Marian Adams may be made to the Living Desert, 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, California 92260.