Joseph Adams

Joseph Adams, 75, of Northwood, ND, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at his home in Northwood. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 6:30 p.m. at the Bilden-Askew Funeral Home in Northwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Gigi's Playhouse, 3224 20th St. S, Fargo, ND 58104 or The Hope Foundation - ND Cancer Center - 1452 44th Ave S, Unit E, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

Joseph Adams Jr was born in Philadelphia, PA, the oldest of seven children. He lived in Philly until the age of 17. After graduating high school in 1967, Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force. While at basic training, he met his future wife, Frances and they were later married on September 14, 1968, in Westminster, MD. 

Joe’s first assignment was at Riverside, California where he was a cop guarding B52’s. The planes had heat sensors and would follow him around as he “walked the line.” This was not the career for Joe. He transferred to Special Services, MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation), helping and assisting recreational activities. He was assigned to photo shop to process film and sealed his love for photography and the ceramic shop, where he helped people make different objects out of clay. 

On December 14, 1969, Joe’s child, a son, Joe III was born. Joe was then assigned to outdoor recreation at Fairbanks, Alaska. Joe ran an Air Force managed campground with cabins and boats during the summer and assisted people with their ski equipment at the base lodge during the winter months. Joe’s second child, Mary, was born on July 12, 1971. In 1972, his next assignment was Mountain Home, ID, where he worked at the Recreation Center. This assignment he loved because he would be around people. There were dances, bingo, tours, musical shows, casino nights and other interactive activities that he enjoyed doing. 

From 1974-1975, Joe was assigned to Anakra, Turkey. He was assigned to the base clubs with parties and functions for the base and the embassy. In 1975, he was reassigned back to Mountain Home, ID because his wife Frances was ill. In 1978, Joe was assigned to Okinawa, Japan. Again, he worked at the Recreation Center. Along with recreational activities at the center, he would assist the base personnel with making phone calls to the states and help schedule tours. 

In 1982, Joe was assigned to Grand Forks, ND. For the next 5 years, Joe would have a variety of jobs from recreation, youth activities, clubs, bowling alley, roller rink, arts & crafts center, swimming pool, outdoor recreation and base fitness center and gym. Over the years, he received numerous awards for his dedication to his career in recreation. Also, received awards for his photography and volunteering to assist military and civilian personnel. In 1989, Joe retired from the Air Force and decided to stay and live in Grand Forks. After retiring, Joe worked at Columbia Sports, but decided he wanted to go back to school to get his degree. He went to Northwest Tech School, East Grand Forks, MN., as an “older than average” student and received two associates degrees in banking and marketing. While he was going to classes, he would volunteer at the school bookstore. From all his volunteering time, he was nominated and received, “Volunteer of the Year”, from JCPenney. In 1997, there was a 100-year flood and Joe and his wife lost their home in Lincoln Park. The folks in Finley opened the closed Air Force Station and updated and cleaned the homes for dislocated flood families. Joe and his wife lived there temporarily for two months. Joe and his wife moved to temporary GFAFB housing after his wife got orders to relocate to a home on the base. She worked in the finance office and her boss did not want her to drive 50 miles a day to and from work. While being on base, Joe would go down to Lincoln Park and try salvage some of their possessions from the flooded house. 

In August of 1997, Joe and his wife moved permanently to Northwood, ND. Frances still had 10 years before her retirement and Northwood was only 24 miles away. In 2004, there was a program for over 55-year-old people to work for a non-profit organization. At Northwood, there were two places Joe worked, first at childcare and the second at the nursing home. His job at the nursing home was activities, the same job he had in the military. Joe came full circle in his career from assisting teenagers in the 60-70’s, to families in the 70-80’s, to assisting seniors in 2000's. He was always friendly and outgoing and enjoyed being around the folks. Joe worked at the nursing home for three years. Joe and Frances both belonged to the Northwood American Legion, Post 92, volunteered with the Northwood Community/Commercial Club. Anytime any organization would need posters or flyers, Joe would design and provide as many as they needed. One of his later projects was making graduation packages for the Little Learners Preschool. He enjoyed going around Northwood, talking to folks and always had a pocket full of Lifesavers to give out. To Joe and his wife, Northwood became their home. With neighbors like Larry Higdem and his family, and other surrounding families in the North Dakota rural communities. Joe will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to share his life.

Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frances; daughter, Mary of Moorhead, MN; son, Joseph III of Lidgerwood, ND; grandsons: Nate and Ben Adams, Mooreton, ND; daughter-in-law, Donnell Stallman of Mooreton, ND; four surviving brothers: Chris, David, Tom, and Mike Adams. Joe is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Preceding him in death were his parents, grandparents, sister, Jane Clancy; brother, Bob Adams; grandson, CJ Camp; and nieces, Hannah Adams and Candice Ismirle.