Daniel “Pop” Lee Adams, 79 of Spearfish, SD passed away on November 15, 2023, at his home.
Pop was born on December 4, 1943, to Alec and Helen (Ulrichs) Adams in Sturgis, SD. He graduated from Vale High School in 1962 where he was an excellent athlete, being extremely quick and excelling in football, basketball, and track. He carried on his athletic talents and played softball for many years after he moved to Spearfish.
He married his high school sweetheart Hazel Crockford the day after she graduated from high school, and they have shared 60 years together. The couple lived in Vale for a short time before moving to Spearfish.
Pop worked for the Butte County Reclamation, then went to Homestake Mining Company, and finally retired from BHSU as the head groundkeeper after 33 years. He also served in the National Guards for six years.
He will be remembered for his intense love for his family. His daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids were his pride and joy. He was a man of all traits- carpen- ter, electrician, mechanic and his best one was loving his family. Pop would drop anything he was doing to provide a helping hand to anyone. He was a sports guy; he loved every sport, especially the ones he could watch in Spearfish. Politics-oh don’t get us started on those-we banned them from half our house because towards the end of his life, he loved politics! We left the politics to the coffee crew at McDonald’s and boy did he love to brag about how he got people rolling mad talking about politics. Pop was a jokester and loved calling people names-two in particular pollock and bonehead. He strived to make people laugh and smile and when they did you would get his contagious belly laugh that just made you smile more. His love for his family, his kindness for others, and his ornery personality brought so much joy to the people around him. If Pop didn’t give you grief, you knew something was wrong (with you not him!)
He is survived by his wife Hazel; daughter and son-in-law, Punky and Shorty Engesser; grandkids Taylor Engesser, Rickie and Rhett Fanning, Jace Engesser and Maycie; brother Rick and Carolyn Adams; sister-in-law Sheri Adams; Niece Steph and Joe Robinson; pups Izzy and Bella and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Terry and Spud Adams; sister, Bev Gloppen; in-laws, Joe and Mim Crockford; nephew, Ronnie Adams and special pup Oreo.
Visitation was on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel. Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spearfish. Burial followed at Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfu- neralchapels.com
