Joe Adamson

Eddie Joe Adamson, 80, of Richland, Oregon.  Our Beloved Joe passed away very unexpected at St. Alphonsus Regional Hospital in Boise, Idaho on May 20, 2019 after 3 successful surgeries.  A Memorial Service - Celebration of Joe's Life & Potluck will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019 - 11:00 a.m. at the New Bridge Grange in New Bridge, Oregon.

     Eddie Joe was born in Great Falls, Montana to Joseph A. and Rula (Mangum) Adamson and was the oldest of the children.  The family was awarded  80 acres of land (7 miles west of Fairfield, Montana on Sunny Slope Bench), that they  farmed and ran a dairy which started with 8 cows.  Milking and separating was all done by hand.  At age 12, the electricity was installed and the milking machine was installed.  He learned his hard work ethics on the farm.  He went to 12 years of school at Fairfield Elementary High School.  He loved football and boxing and graduated in May of 1956. 

     Joe married Phyllis Whitmell of Salt Lake City, Utah.  They were blessed with 5 children.  Phyllis lost her life due to a tragic car accident leaving 3 young boys, Keith, Steven & Ed. 

     He then married Melva Patterson, and added her three children to the family, Rob, Rick and Susan.  They later divorced.

     At last he found, met and married his best friend, Liddy Conklin.  Joe gained and was best friend and Dad to her two children Debra and Scott.  This marriage lasted with understanding - A friend is someone who loves and appreciates your past, believes in your future and accepts you today the way you are. 

     Joe moved to Salt Lake City, Utah just after graduation.  He worked for the Good Year Tire Company until 1960. He then went to work for Leatham Bros. Trucking, doing long haul.  During the 26 years of driving he was awarded Safety and Truck Driver of the year twice.  He was recognized with an award from the American Trucking Association for driving 2 million 750 thousand accident free miles and was driver of the year for the State of Utah.  He was very proud of his profession.  Joe moved to Boise in 1980 and partnered with LeRoy Jenkins Conestoga Transportation.  He bought and ran 2 trucks along with the Conestoga Fleet, dispatched and loaded, running all 48 states and Canada.  This was 7 days a week and long hours.  In 1990 he & Liddy started J & L Enterprizes with 5 trucks and 50 self owned and operated units.  This was lots of work, but a successful happy time and they had a great bunch of drivers.

     When the fuel prices went out of sight, Joe took a hard look at our options and knew it was time to retire.  They hauled the last load and brought all the trucks were home on December 31, 1996 when they closed.

     Joe and Liddy moved to Richland in 1997 to enjoy retirement, which was short lived.   He drove shuttle cars for Diane Jensen and was a Taskmaster at Clear Creek Bed and Breakfast for Barbara Phillips.  He was a member of the Sheriff's Posse and did Search & Rescue and was on the  pistol shooting team. Joe started driving the Eagle Valley Ambulance and became a First Responder.  Then he was elected Master of New Bridge Grange #789.  Merle Beale got him to join Community Connections as a board member to replace her.  He became Chairman of the Advisory Council Board of Community Connections.  Some 20 plus years later he was still doing his jobs with a happy smile and glorious laughter.     

     The first time he ever got to go fishing, he enjoyed seeing the wildlife and feeding the deer and turkeys.  His greatest wonderment was the gardens he could grow in Sumpter.

     He was preceded in death by an infant son Joseph Brent and 3 year old daughter Sandra Jo; son Keith; parents; brother  in law Merrill Snarr; best friend Reid Tracy who died in Joe's arms, shot by a ricochet bullet.

     Joe is survived his wife Liddy; sons Steve (Shirley) Adamson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Ed (Jan) Adamson of Fairfield, Montana; step children Debra Greene of Fayetteville, NC, Scott Greene of Parma, Idaho; brother Monte (Janet) Adamson; sisters Doris of Fairfield, Montana, Arlene (Lloyd) of Augusta, Montana; numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many lifelong friends.

     Joe's Motto - Be a good friend and neighbor - If we can't have fun, then we don't do it - Whatever you do, do it right or not at all.

     For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Joe, may do so to Eagle Valley Ambulance through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com