History & Biographies


The Judith & Jean Pape Adams Charitable Foundation
was established in 2004 as a private foundation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is required to make distributions to charitable organizations on an annual basis. It encompasses two areas of support: organizations and agencies predominantly in Tulsa County and national ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research. One-third of the annual qualifying distributions will be made to ALS research until a cure is found.

Jean Pape Adams
was born in Ohio and later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her parents, Maude and Clyde Pape, where her father was Treasurer of Selby Oil & Gas Company. Jean graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in history. She had one daughter, Judith Pape Adams. Jean pursued intellectual interests, traveled the world, and loved the performing and visual arts. She also was an accomplished pianist. Her art collection, ranging from folk art to Renaissance paintings, was donated to The Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa. She has also established scholarships in her parents honor at The University of Tulsa. Jean died in June, 2003.

Judith Pape Adams
was passionate about her dogs; she was also a painter, potter, avid gardener and a master cook. She, too, had a collection of art that was given to The Philbrook Museum. Within four months of being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Judy died of the disease in September, 1996.