Fred Adams

Our father and grandpa, Fred Adams, passed away Monday morning March 18, surrounded by all four of his children. He is finally free from the mental and physical ravages of Parkinson’s disease. Born in Wapanucka, OK, the fifth child of J.W. “Cub” and Mary Jane Eaves Adams, Fred spent most of his childhood in California, before joining his father in Copperfield in Bingham Canyon. He graduated from Bingham High School in 1957 and joined the United States Air Force later that year, serving as a jet engine mechanic. He married JoAnn Spera on January 21, 1961 in Canon City, CO, and was immediately embraced by her extended Italian family. Fred worked as an electrician at Kennecott for 30 years. He was a proud union member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for over 60 years, serving several years as president and as a member of the negotiating team. He strove to provide his family with the opportunities and advantages he never had, and he believed his fellow workers deserved that, too. Later, he worked for Salt Lake County for ten years.

He enjoyed golfing with his friends at Mountain View. He and JoAnn spent several months a year in Mesquite, where he could golf in the winter. But his favorite role was that of Grandpa. He supported all six grandchildren at concerts, plays, soccer and football games. He took them camping, boating, golfing and on vacations, and told them his “Neechi stories.” He delighted in their accomplishments. They were his greatest joy.

Preceded in death by his parents, two siblings who died before he was born, his brothers Ralph and Larry, and his wife JoAnn, whom he missed every day of the last seven years. Survived by daughters Shelly (Dennis) Edmonds, Deborah (Jeffrey) Bennett, Kim Adams, son Donald Adams, and grandchildren Mitch (Mary), Jillian, and Marcus Edmonds, Matthew and Daniel Bennett, and Jaron Adams.

The family would like to thank all his caregivers, especially the Visiting Angels who became his friends and allowed him to remain at home with this dog Max until his last month. Meghan Zorn and Damon Bell provided both care and encouragement. We also wish to thank the caregivers at The Peaks. You were truly the angels along our journey.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 25 at 1 PM with visitation at noon. A visitation followed by a Rosary will be held Saturday, March 23 from 6-8 PM. Both will be at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State St. in Midvale. Interment at the Midvale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider offering a Mass for Fred or donating to Parkinson’s research.