Celebrating a KofC Centenarian!

Alfred E. Adams, “Brother Al,” of Southwest Council 3910, Houston, Texas was given a grand, 100-year birthday celebration at the council’s annual Christmas party in 2022 and a hearty welcome to the council's first Lenten Fish Fry on February 24th, 2023. A veteran of both World War II and Korea, Al grew up in early 20th century America. He has vivid memories of milking cows before school at the Catholic Christian Brothers Boys’ Home in Delaware, where he both lived and attended school. Al’s early life with the Christian Brothers came out of necessity. He was the eleventh of twelve children. After the tragic death of his father, his mother sadly realized that she couldn’t provide for all her children. The only viable option was the Christian Brothers Boys’ Home. There he not only learned his Catholic faith but also the life skills that would sustain him throughout his 100 years. He met his wife in Washington, D.C., and after being married at 17, he joined the Marines for the start of WWII. He saw action in the South Pacific during the second invasion of the Philippines. After the war he went to work for IBM before being called up once again for the Korean War. After the war, he and his wife moved to her hometown of Galveston, Texas, and then, after a 1961 hurricane, moved to Houston. Together they raised 3 children, the oldest of whom is now in her 80’s. Al has been a Knight of Columbus for over 30 years. He is a charter member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church and School to which the council is attached. Al’s secret to a long life? “Exercise, The Gym,” he matter-of-factly states. As we wrapped up our visit, I mentioned to him that, from a distance, he looks like a barrel-chested Sherman Tank crossing the battlefield. He just laughed.