Jo Ann Adkins

Jo Ann was born on April 20th 1947 in Knox City Texas (south west of Lubbock)Her parents were Carl Vernon and Kathryn Virginia ( Leek) Wallace. Her father worked the oil fields of SW Texas. Her mother was a homemaker She had an older brother Carl Gene. Later on her parents added a younger brother, David Lee Wallace. Jo Ann spent her younger life in Texas, Knox City, Pampa and Borger known in north Texas as the panhandle She was educated in the Texas education system.

In the early 1950 Carl's brother Bill took a gamble and moved his family to Alaska which was about 10 years before statehood. Bill did alright because he bought the Buick dealership in Anchorage. He also owned Alaska Diamond drill (a water well drilling company) After several years, Bill talked his brother Carl into coming to Alaska. He had Carl pick up a new 1965 Buick Rivera from a local Buick dealership to drive to Anchorage. He bought a trailer and loaded up the trailer and header to Alaska via the Alcan highway through Canada. At the time the Alcan highway was a two lane gravel road. Jo Ann was in her senior year of high School, but was excited about the new adventure. She graduated from East Anchorage High School in June of 1965. After graduation she went to work with her mother at Creekside elementary school in Anchorage. Her dad got a job working on the North slope around prudo bay, but his work kept him from his family for long periods of time. Jo Ann, her mother and David lee lived in a mobile home on Muldoon road.

Jo Ann and I met through a friend and we hit it off almost immediately. We were married on the 4th of August 1967. Chapel number 1 on Elmendorf Air Force base, Major, Chaplain Hugh Morgan presiding. That began our wonderful life together. The Air Force took us to many states and most of western Europe. After we both retired we enjoyed touring thrift stores and garage sales to fuel our passion for collectables. 58 years and still going strong. During my Air Force tour of duty, we were stationed in Biloxi Mississippi where our son Ron was born so he grew up an Air Force brat. Ron has a son Dylan and a daughter Jenna. Dylan lives in Casper Wyoming and Jenna in Alaska. Jo Ann is joined in enteral life with her parent and two brother.