Ernest Alexander Adams was born on November 24, 1912 to Ernest Alexander and Mabel Pearl Parks Adams at his parents home in Redmond, Washington. Mabel's family owned the Parks Livery Stable and later stage line. Ernie’s birth brought the population of Redmond to the needed 300 required to incorporate the city. He attended Redmond Elementary and Redmond High School.

 

On March 2, 1931 Ernie married his high school sweetheart, Muriel Sanford,.  During the Great Depression when you couldn't buy a job in Redmond, several men left Redmond for jobs in Nevada including Fred Reil, Willis Ottini and Ernie Adams. In 1935, Ernie, Muriel and their two daughters Beverly and Arlene moved to Carson City, Nevada and lived in the home of Mark Twain's brother. Ernie served in the Armed Forces in WWII. In 1948, the family moved to Reno, NV to open the brand new Sprouse Reitz store. His many years in the retail business earned him a reputation as having a wonderful sense of humor. His favorite customers included Red Skelton, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Bing and Kathy Crosby and Johnny Asquaga.

 

Beverly Adams married Louis Monjar and her sisiter Arlene married his brother John Monjar. The Monjars are from Reno, Nevada. . Beverly Monjar lives in Port Richey, Florida and Arlene Monjar lives in Downieville, California.

 

Ernie's family grew to three granddaughters and three grandsons, three great-granddaughters and one great grandson. Ernie enjoyed bowling, hunting, skiing and golf. He passed away in December 1992 at the age of 80. Muriel died in February 1996.

 

Ernie's grandfather, also named Ernest Alexander Adams, came to Redmond working as District Supervisor for the Northern Pacific Railroad in the 1890s. The union of Mabel Pearl Parks and Ernest Alexander "Alex"Adams united transportation in Redmond on the Eastside.

 

Ernie's sister, Mable Annie Adams married Johnny Larson. Their only child, R. F. Larson worked as a librarian at UC Berkeley and on cruise ships in the summer.