Gordon Adams Jr

Gordon “Jones” Adams Jr., Age 66, Longtime resident of Nett Lake, died Sunday March 24, 2024, in his home from a tragic house fire. He was born October 15, 1957, in Fort Francis, Ontario Canada, the son of Gordon Clifford Adams Sr. and Martha Jane (Burnside) Adams.

Gordy (Jones) was a 1975 Graduate of Orr High School and played Basketball for the Orr Braves basketball team under the direction of William (Bill King) – In 1975, the Orr Braves won the District 27 Tournament and Gordy was a member of the “starting five”. He was also selected as the outstanding Native Athlete his senior year. After Graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps. – He was an accomplished Marine and received many honorary medals including Rifle Sharpshooter, Infantry and Good Conduct. He was honorably discharged as an E-4 corporal in 1979. Upon completion of his Military Service, Gordy worked for the Bois Forte Sawmill, served as Construction Manager for the Nett Lake School project and also was an accomplished self-employed Carpenter instrumental in the remodeling of many reservation construction projects. He also worked for the Bois Forte Energy Assistance Program, was Executive Director for the Bois Forte RTC, and later served on the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council as District One Council Member and was elected for 2 terms. He was also well known throughout greater Indian Country, serving as a representative for the National Indian Gaming Association and was a Regional Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians. He later worked for Bois Forte Enterprise at Fortune Bay Resort Casino as the Business Manager and Power Rain. He also volunteered on the Bois Forte Ambulance as an EMS first Responder and took pride in his many past accomplishments and was a proud honorary veteran.

Gordy enjoyed fishing, he loved taking his boat on Pelican Lake fishing with his family, hunting ducks and deer, guiding, netting fish on Lake Vermillion, picking berries, and was an accomplished ricer, he enjoyed cookouts with family & friends. He took pride in raising his grandchildren Everly & Ivy whom he thought of as his own. On November 16, 1985 he married the love of his life in Nett Lake, Mn. – Kathleen “Patsy” (Day) Adams. They were married for 37 years. On December 28, 2022, he lost the love of his life Patsy and was in deep mourning, it brings his family great comfort knowing that they are now reunited. Once a Marine, always a Marine - he died a hero, as he saved his family from a catastrophic house fire by awakening everyone and getting them out before saving himself.

Gordy is survived by his daughters: Rebecca (Craig) Adams of Nett Lake, MN. Tyla Adams of Nett Lake, Mn. Sons: Gordy (Nikki) Adams III of Nett Lake, Mn, Mike Adams of Virgina, Mn. Siblings: Vern (Cindy) Adams of Virginia, Mn. Randy Adams of Hoyt Lakes, Mn. Les (Roberta) Adams of Duluth, Mn. Sherrie Laitenen of Tower, MN. Grandchildren: Owen, Liam, Della, Everly, Ivy, and Avis and numerous nephews, nieces and friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents: Gordon Sr, and Martha Adams Brothers: Norm. Bill. Lester. Lorne. Bob, Sisters: Carlene and Mary

The wake will be held on Friday March 29, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m., Tribal Rites funeral will be held on Saturday March 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.at the Bois Forte Tribal Government Center in Nett Lake, MN. The Spiritual Advisor will be Billy Blackwell, assisted by Clint Miller.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.  To share condolences online, please visit www.baumanfuneralhome.com.