Donald E. Adams

Don Adams of Moscow died peacefully at his home on Sunday morning, September 22, 2019 of kidney failure. He was 86.

Don was born July 1, 1933 in Spokane to Harle and Selma (Schultz) Adams in Spokane, Washington. The family moved to Moscow when he was 8 years old. He attended Moscow schools and graduated from Moscow High School in 1951, shortly thereafter joined the Air Force.  He served for four years, during the Korean War, in the 5th Weather Brigade where he witnessed 16 tests of the Atomic Bomb.  Upon his return he enrolled at the University of Idaho and eventually went to work at the Moscow Post Office where he was a clerk for 15 years.  Don was then transferred to the UI post office for four years before being appointed Postmaster at the Garfield Post Office in April of 1977.  He retired from that position on July 1, 1988.  After retiring, he drove school bus for the Moscow School District for 12 years.  His favorite bus route was driving the children with mental and physical challenges, many of whom he maintained friendships with for several years. 

Don married Judy Frei on March 3, 1962 at St. Gall’s Catholic Church in Colton, Washington.

He was very involved with St. Mary’s School in Moscow where his three daughters attended.  He was also involved in fund raising for the Bear Band Boosters at Moscow High School and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

His favorite hobbies were reading, and watching the History Channel, the Seattle Seahawks and Gonzaga Bulldog basketball.  He was a very family-oriented person and his greatest joys in life were his wife, kids and grandkids. 

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy, at their home and his three daughters, Terri O’Keeffe (John) of Boise, ID, Toni Wigle (Chris) of Moscow, ID and Erin Chaiet (Keith) of Bend, OR.  Other surviving family include five grandchildren, Bryant, Adam and James O’Keeffe and Lauren and Audrey Chaiet, as well as brothers-in-law James Cochrane of Boise, ID, Herb and Mark Frei (Bobbie) of Moscow, ID, Terry Frei of Grangeville, ID, Dale Frei of Genesee, ID and a sister-in-law Marilee Axling (Jim) of Gresham, OR.  He had many special friends whom he considered extended family, including Maryjude of MN, and Pennie, Kristie and Alyssa from Cardiac Rehab at Gritman Medical Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents Selma and Harle Adams, his twin sister Donna Paulsen and his younger sister Joan Cochrane.

Special thanks to Marie and Lisa from Elite Home Health & Hospice and Terry Lindsay, whom provided such loving care.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow, ID. A luncheon will follow at St. Mary’s Family Center.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial donations to St. Mary’s School or the Ronald McDonald House.

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