Leroy Eugene Adams

Leroy was born October 16, 1931, to Florien Adelbert Adams and Gladyes Vera Braden in Fryburg, North Dakota. He married the love of his life, Helen Adams (d. 2021) in October 1953, with whom he became the father of four, Joel (Alicia) Adams (deceased), Michelle Adams, Melissa (Gary) Lawson, and Mary (Mark) Stephenson. He was the Grandfather of eight and the Great Grandfather of seven, all of whom he cherished.

Leroy was a man of his time. He took the corporate job to support his family, he was a stoic father who seldom expressed emotion, and he supported his wife in the raising of his children. After 30 years of work at a single firm, he took early retirement while his wife continued to work and excel at the job she loved, and the man who put on his tie, polished his shoes, and wore his sober dark suit disappeared. Leroy blossomed in retirement. He was at heart a craftsman. He built an addition to his home, was a talented carpenter, and took on projects for his children whenever he saw a need. He delighted in the antics of his grandchildren although he never was able to say, "I love you." However, when he paid his granddaughter Kari a penny a nail to pick up construction debris with a magnet, always laughingly called another "Miss Kandace," or coaxed five year old McKenna to watch WWII movies with him, it was clear how deeply he cherished the children of his children. Leroy was deeply proud of and often in awe of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren: multiple college graduates, an archaeologist, an attorney, teachers and leaders of others. He believed his family to be his most enduring legacy.

Leroy spent the last few years of his life in an assisted living home where he is fondly remembered by his caregivers as the man always ready with a joke. Throughout his life, he never complained about his lot; whether it was a battle with cancer at mid-life, the loss of an adored wife, son, and grandson who predeceased him, or his own daily struggle with pain in his final years. He was always matter-of-fact with his own challenges, but quietly ever-ready to support his family with theirs.

Leroy was a treasured patriarch of his family.

I see you Dad, reunited with Mom, pain free, and looking at her with that same adoration you had through 68 years of marriage. Thank you for everything.