George F. Adams

George Franklin Adams died on November 24, 2025, from the complications of a fall eight days earlier. He spent his final few days in a room transformed from hospital blandness by family photos, dim lighting, cozy blankets, and a view of Lake Michigan. His family encircled him, sharing stories and songs, including repeated offerings of his favorite "Morning Has Broken." George's lucidity allowed him to enjoy his last days reliving memories and listening to declarations of love and gratitude from his children and grandchildren.

Over his 96 years of life, George was a loyal son and brother; an adoring husband of (the late) Barbara Adams; a steadfast father to eight children and their spouses; a devoted grandfather to nineteen grandchildren and their spouses; and an invested great-grandfather to ten (one late) great-grandchildren. He was a significant loving force in the lives of his nieces and nephews. He was a parent figure to many others, too. All were thankful and proud to be part of the Adams family he created and nurtured. To be an Adams, by family tie or friendship, is a blessing and a gift that continues as one of his many legacies.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, though at two years of age his family moved back to their native Albania for a few years. When they returned and he was enrolled in the Detroit Public Schools, he didn't speak a word of English. That changed quickly and he became a truly American boy, smart enough to skip two elementary school grades and athletic enough to play Division One basketball at Wayne State University.

He served in the United States Army, stationed in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. His assignment on radio telegraph lines was exhausting and perilous work. More to his liking, he also played on the Army softball team.

He spent his entire career in the Detroit Public Schools, starting as a teacher, then principal, then Regional Superintendent and the Superintendent of Special Education. He collaborated and cut red tape and improved offerings and outcomes. He innovated new programs for students of varying abilities. His work on educational choice for deaf students was groundbreaking. His hand was characteristically steady and his bearing stalwart in a time of social upheaval affecting the city and the schools.

Barbara and George had a delightful social life at all stages of their life together. They loved hosting parties. The Adams family went camping and had picnics with other family friends. George formed many profound and lasting friendships with basketball teammates, classmates, army buddies, colleagues, neighbors, ski companions, golf partners, and church parishioners. Once a friend of George's, you were a friend for life. Because of his longevity, he was predeceased by many people he loved, but he kept them close with stories recounted about their adventures and misadventures.

He had unwavering integrity and a true moral compass. His generosity and loyalty were matched by his strength and ferocity. His high standard for competency and performance in others was measured by his own capability and behavior. He was a most scrupulous man.

He loved the thrill of skiing and enthusiastically shared his passion. He taught each of his eight children to ski at the nearby Mt. Brighton. Often, he would finish his day of work, pack up the station wagon with kids and skis and spend a few hours night-skiing. He would plan and chaperone boy scout ski trips. He made countless trips to the Rockies with Barbara and/or his children and/or his friends. He was active in the charitable ski races to raise support for the Jimmy Heuga Legacy Foundation for MS. Until he stopped skiing at the age of 90, he was a ubiquitous presence at Boyne Mountain, skiing with friends, family or solo. When he could no longer ski, he loved watching the skiers on the Boyne Mountain cameras through his television at home.

His faith was a constant, subtly expressed. He played a founding role at St. Fabian's Catholic Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan and was a supportive parishioner at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Boyne City, Michigan. At St. Matthew's he underwrote stained glass windows in memory of Barbara, his brother Johnny and nephew Christopher, and his great friend Jack Courtney. Weekly, he chose a pew where he could be close to his memorialized loved ones there.

George spent the last three decades of life in his and Barbara's dream home in Boyne City, a hub for family to gather and enjoy the north country and each other. The view of Boyne Mountain's Monument golf course, Deer Lake, and the wooded Michigan hills beyond was unrivaled. Many sunsets and birds and changing of the seasons were enjoyed through the windows. George loved and meticulously maintained that home until the day he fell. It was his fervent desire to live in his own home his entire life. We are so thankful he could. We are indebted to Amy Wittenmeyer, Yannis Burnell, and especially Kevin Burnell for helping George maintain his home so he could continue to live independently in his advanced years. George was a tough critic of anyone's work on his own home, but he found Kevin was a great partner and attentive friend.

The Adams family would like to say a final thank you to the medical teams and the hospice team at McClaren Petoskey hospital. The compassion and warmth they displayed while caring for George and his grieving family highly expressed the healing arts.

There will be a private family mass followed by the internment of George's ashes next to the remains of his late wife, Barbara. In the spring, another service will be held in Boyne City, Michigan to celebrate the extraordinary life of George Franklin Adams.

If of interest, as an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to St. Matthew's Catholic Church: online @ jamcc.org or 1303 Boyne Avenue, Boyne City, Michigan, 49712.

Arrangements are in the care of Stackus Funeral Home.