Barbara Adams

Barbara Sue (Parker) Adams, 86, passed away surrounded by her family on April 23, 2026. Barbara was born May 31, 1939, in Enid OK, and raised on her family’s wheat farm. She attended a one-room rural school for six years, then junior and senior high in Enid.

In 1958 she married the love of her life, David Adams. The two attended the same church, and David worked for Barbara’s Daddy on the family farm. However, it wasn’t until Barbara took matters into her own hands and dumped a wash pan of water on David to get his attention that he really took notice. The rest was history: married for just shy of 68 years, theirs was a love story for the ages.

The two attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater before moving to Moscow for the first time in 1959 for David to attend graduate school at the U of I. In 1961, upon David’s graduation, the pair moved to the remote “Sunlight” ranger station outside of Cody, WY, where Barbara gave birth to their oldest daughter, Lisa. Barbara would tell stories of hiding from moose while hanging laundry and having to break the ice in the toilet (yes, inside their cabin) – all while caring for a newborn. It was truly an adventure.

The two moved to Ft. Collins, CO (1962 – ‘68), then to Arcata, CA, then back to Moscow for the second and final time in 1971.

Barabara was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. Nothing was more important to her than her family.

She also worked part time at the U of I in several departments and volunteered extensively, including at the United Methodist Church, Gritman Hospital, the Moscow Food Bank, and in Moscow schools. In addition, she frequently opened her home to host U of I and College of Natural Resources social events.

She loved gardening and always had a yard of beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed cheering on the Oklahoma State football team, reading, playing bridge, traveling with David, and spending time with family and friends.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Rex and Gladys Parker, sister Betty Jo Campbell, and brother Dallas “Bud” Parker. Left to celebrate her life and immerse themselves in memories are her beloved husband David, daughters Lisa (Jeff) Egan, Amy (David) Luft, granddaughter Haley (Mark) Egan, grandsons Joshua (Kaila) Egan and Ethan Luft, many nieces and nephews, and special friends including her long-time weekly bridge group Donna Belknap, Judy Lingg, and Trisha Nelson.

All are invited to join the family as we celebrate Barbara’s life and share memories at an open house: Saturday, May 30, 2026; 2:00 - 4:00 pm; University Inn Best Western, Centennial Room.