Banker Robert "Bob" Adams

Banker Robert “Bob” Adams returned home Monday, August 01, 2016. He was born in Ririe and grew up playing outside, swimming in canals, walking to Heise for a soda, and with his brothers picking up coal alongside the railroad tracks to help heat the family home. He attended Ririe Elementary and was one of the first classes to graduate from Ririe High School. When he was 16 years old, Bob contracted polio; he was hospitalized for several weeks. He recovered and was ready to play football and basketball. He worked for several farmers driving trucks and helping at harvest time when he was quite young, as did his brothers Don and Tom. His dad bought some land and the 3 boys helped clear it of sagebrush by sitting behind the tractor and pushing the sagebrush through the plow tines. It was hard dusty work but his dad made sure his sons knew how to work where they were needed. In time the land was ready to dry farm wheat and barley. Bob married Darlene Reading in 1953 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They were blessed with 5 children; Mark, Mike, Linda, Sally Jo and Judy. Darlene was an excellent cook and homemaker and their children were always well dressed and knew they were loved. Bob traveled a lot with his employment and moved his family a few times for job opportunities, but he always returned to Ririe. In 1971 Bob and Darlene divorced. Bob was working in El Cajon, California as a source inspector in 1973 when he was introduced to a young widow, Marla Layton. They started dating and were married in June 1973 in El Cajon, California. August 1, 1973 Bob moved Marla and her 2 children to Ririe. In October of 1974 their child, Kelly Duke joined the family and in 1977 Bob and Marla were sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple together with Michael, Lisa and Kelly. Bob started his own business in 1978, spraying polyurethane insulation. He enjoyed being outdoors and being his own boss. He later spread fertilizer in Idaho and around Blythe, California. He also worked with his brother Don to keep the dry farm going as extra income for their mother. Bob was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he served as Ward Clerk, Primary Teacher, a member of the Bishopric, High Priest Secretary, and a member of the High Council; he was always willing to serve. He loves his children, their spouses and all the grand and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed sitting and holding a newborn baby, or a 2 year old playing with her doll, teasing the teenagers and he always hugged each one. He is survived by his wife, Marla Adams, of Ririe, children, Mark (Diane) Adams of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Mike (Nita) Adams of Ririe, Idaho, Linda Adams, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Sally Jo Martindale, of Idaho Falls, Michael Adams, of Ivans, Utah, Judy Adams of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Lisa Adams (James) Ledbetter of Shelley, Idaho, Kelly (Marianna) Adams, of Spanish Fork, Utah, brother, Don (Evelyn) Adams, of Ammon, Idaho, 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents B.R. and Virgil Taylor Adams, brother, Tom and a baby brother William who lived 5 days. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Ririe Stake Center, 14061 N. 130 E., Ririe. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m., to 12:45 p.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.