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Neil Baker Adams, son of Dale Lee and Bernice Baker Adams, was born March 14, 1939, in Leroy, Iowa. He passed away at his home in Juneau, Alaska, on October 15, 2022. He was 83 years old.
Mr. Adams was raised on a farm near Leroy, Iowa and attended school there. In high school he was involved in music and loved playing basketball. He became captain of the basketball team his senior year. He graduated from Leroy High School in 1956.
On November 25, 1958, Mr. Adams married his high school sweetheart, Donna Charlene Kearney. In 1961, they moved to Orange, California, where he worked for a utilities company and then as a police officer with the Santa Ana Police Department. He served with the Santa Ana Police Department from 1962-1970. Two daughters, Laura and Shannon, were born to them during their years in California.
In 1970, they moved to Haines, Alaska where Mr. Adams served two years as a police officer with the Haines Police Department. Their daughter, Erin, was born during their time in Haines.
He served as a police officer for 10 years, and in 1972 he changed careers and became a United States Customs Inspector. He worked with U.S. Customs in Ketchikan, Alaska; Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Kansas City, Missouri. While in Alberta, their daughter Sarah was born and their son, Jason, was added to the family through adoption. Mr. Adams then moved his family to Kansas City, Missouri, where he continued his work for U.S. Customs. In 1997, Mr. Adams retired from U.S. Customs after serving for 25 years.
After his retirement, he, his wife, and son Jason moved to Humeston, Iowa, where they built Foxwood Bed and Breakfast on their acreage. They ran the B&B until 2005.
Mr. Adams was a member of the Humeston Camp of Gideons and a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Corydon.
In 2006, his wife of almost 48 years passed away at home in Humeston. After Charlene’s passing, he traveled to Alaska.
On December 31, 2008, he married Verna Erickson from Juneau, Alaska, and the couple made Juneau their permanent home after moving back and forth from Humeston to Juneau for a couple of years. Mr. Adams was an avid reader of the Bible and other books. He watched and listened to sermons daily, and also loved watching police and detective TV shows and professional football.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Charlene, his parents, Dale and Bernice Adams, and his sister, Alice Anderson.
He is survived by his wife Verna Erickson of Juneau, six children and their families, Laura Wells and husband David and children Amanda and Jennifer of Forney, TX, Shannon Lowe and husband Ron and children Abigail and Ethan of Plattsburg, MO, Erin Steele and husband David and children Matthew, Alysabeth, Emily and Caleb of San Antonio, TX, Neil Erickson and wife Katie and son Brandon of Juneau, AK, Sarah Moore and husband Josh and children Lexi, Alison, Isaac and Julianna of Lynnwood, WA and Jason Adams of Chariton, IA; step-children Molly, Janni, Patricia and Richard; many nieces and nephews, as well as great-grandchildren.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Humeston Cemetery, Humeston, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Humeston Public Library, P.O. Box 97, Humeston, IA 50123.