Joel Leroy Adams

Joel Leroy Adams, born August 16, 1955, in Portland, Oregon, died too soon on June 8, 2022, at home in Tucson, Arizona, ending a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Beloved husband of Stephanie Pretzer and the late Alicia Adams, father of Matthew, Kari, and Aaron, and grandfather of five.

Joel was raised in Portland, Oregon and graduated high school from Mount Angel Seminary. When the family relocated to Southern California, he rejoined us upon graduation and enrolled at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. While attending college Joel worked fulltime in the grocery industry where he met Alicia Meneely. Married in 1975 at age 19, they remained married for nearly four decades and raised three amazing children. After losing Alicia to brain cancer in 2012, Joel believed that he would spend the rest of his life as a widower. But lightning struck twice for Joel, and he was blessed with a second chance for love with Stephanie.

In Joel’s professional life he was recognized many times with promotions to an executive role with Albertson’s. But career success came at a price he was unwilling to pay, and he chose instead to step back from the corporate world and celebrate success as a husband and father. A passionate reader of history, Joel went back to college in his 50’s to earn the university degree he had set aside as a young man.

Joel was not raised in a demonstrative family, where the words “I love you” come easily. He preferred to walk the talk, including expressing his love for family through the art of cooking. When he handed you a plate, filled with a carefully crafted meal, you knew you were loved. After dinner, he might get out his guitar and gather the kids around for a little Peter, Paul & Mary or John Denver.

Joel was a beloved son and brother, friend, husband, “Dad” to the children who looked up to and respected him, and “Papa Joel” to the grandchildren he adored. He left an enduring mark on all the lives he touched, and his integrity, work ethic, and wicked sense of humor now pass to the generations that follow him.

Godspeed Papa Joel, your legacy is in good hands.

Joel is survived by wife Stephanie Pretzer, Tucson AZ; children Matthew Adams (Margaret Cohen), Tucson AZ, Kari Adams, Newport Beach CA, Aaron Adams (Jessica), Phoenix AZ; grandchildren Ezekiel, Atticus, Abel, Cyrus, Athena; father Leroy E. Adams, Tucson AZ; sisters Michelle Adams, Portland OR, Melissa Lawhon (Gary), College Park GA, Mary Stephenson (Mark), Lake Havasu AZ; six nieces and nephews; extended family; and his dear buddies Chewie and Yoda. Joel was preceded in death by his mother Helen (nee Hanson) Adams.

Interment to be held graveside on Saturday, August 13, 10:00am, at Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery, 570 E. Highland Ave, San Bernardino, CA.

If you’d like to honor Joel with a charitable contribution, please donate to the National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org), the official charity of the National Park Service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtviewsanbernardino.com for the Adams family.