Steven Grant Adams

Steven Grant Adams was born on Friday the 13th in May, 1955, in the town of Grangeville, Idaho, both of which were sources of great pride to him. Although he lived almost all of his adult life away from his beloved Idaho County, it was never far from his thoughts or away from his heart. The eight hour drive from Portland, Oregon to Harpster, Idaho, always changed the moment he passed over the Snake River. He felt it, when he was near his home. He felt it, when he was in his land. He went to Stites Elementary School and graduated from Clearwater Valley in 1973. After graduation he married his best friend and high school sweetheart, Christy Nickens. Together they raised three children, Becky, Josh, and Beth. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Economics from The University of Idaho, after which he moved with his family to Portland, Oregon, living and working there for over thirty years. He possessed a wide range of interests, hobbies, and pursuits; everything from exploring new places and cultures to woodworking to growing just about anything. He used to say that he was a “jack of all trades and a master of none”. His father used to say that he was created to talk to horses. Anyone who knew him or knows horses has seen that to be true… but it was not only horses or mules, it was all living things. Rarely was there an animal that he could not calm with the sound of his voice or the perfect placement of his hand. Rarely was there an animal he could not form a bond with, sometimes forever, because these animals always remembered him. His love of animals was only slightly surpassed by his love of people. He could tell a story, all of which were at least ninety-percent true. And the best stories were the ones that he could not finish because he was giggling through his nose or had his head thrown back and eyes shut in uncontrolled laughter. He was always happiest sitting around a table or even better, sitting around a fire made of dry tamarack, with a cup of black coffee in his hand, “telling lies”. He was always happiest surrounded by people. His smile would beam and his blue eyes would twinkle, and everyone near him was happy to be there. Most people remember his smile most of all, which came in many forms… almost all of which were innocent. He will be remembered by two sisters, Carol Adams Lytle and her husband Arden, and Jeanne Adams Wisdom and her husband Aaron; one brother, Jim Adams and his wife Jan; his brother-in-law Jim Nickens and sister-in-law Sue Nickens, his sister-in-law Julie Nickens, and his brother-in-law Randy Carson and his sister-in-law Suanne Carson. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Vernon Nickens… He will be remembered by a multitude of nieces and nephews, cousins, and so many wonderful friends that he shared a moment, a decade, or a lifetime with. We will all remember him because of the place he had in our lives. For his family, he was the strong and steadfast place from which there was no uncertainty. For his friends, he was the bright minute in a day or the animated lunch that could improve a week, but to all he was very special and unique. He was a loving man of God, devoted to his walk with the Lord. He embodied his faith every day, and was a model of what a Christian man should struggle to be. A Portland area Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 12th, at 10 o’clock am at Westside A Jesus Church (formerly Solid Rock) in Beaverton, followed by light snacks and fellowship. An Idaho area Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 13th, at 3 o’clock pm at the IOOF Hall in Kooskia, Idaho, followed by a covered-dish meal. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Medical Teams International at medicalteams.org/take-action/donate/donate-money Or Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/doernbecher/how-to-help/