Tommy Adams Sr., 86, passed away on January 24, 2016 at Alaska Native Medical Center, in Anchorage, Alaska.
A memorial service will be held 1pm, Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 at the Kivalina Friends Church in Kivalina, Alaska. Burial will follow at Kivalina Cemetery. Pallbearers will include, Kyle Sage, Andrew Seedah Baldwin Jr., Harold Booth, James Booth, John Charles Hawley and Alex Hawley.
Tommy was born to Victor Adams Sr. and Emma Coppock on December 5, 1929 in Noatak, Alaska. He grew up in Noatak, Alaska but moved to Kivalina, Alaska at the age of 16. Tommy lived in a generation where many did not graduate from school, and he went up to the fourth grade. His basic education was sufficient for him to read and write so that he can succeed in simple tasks that were necessary for survival in a time where the natives transitioned into modern society. Tommy quit school in order to reindeer herd with his dad as a teenager.
Tommy lived in a transitional era where young men traveled to the Aleutian Islands for employment seasonally with odd jobs in the summer in order to provide for his family, as well as subsistence hunting that sustained his family.
Tommy joined the Army National Guard in the 60s and served for 29 years. His memorable story often reflected the time where the guardsmen traveled to Anchorage in 1964 when the big earthquake occurred. He often remembered the terror, and time they all worked together to survive the biggest earthquake to this date, and had to work together to help survive the event, as well as help others to get through. He retired achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Tommy married Angeline Baldwin in approximately 1950 in Kivalina, Alaska. They were happily married for 30 years.
Tommy became a community member of Kivalina where his wife lived, and participated in the traditional hunting for survival, such as the whaling hunts he enjoyed very much as a part of the Koenig’s crew. Tommy enjoyed hunting, fishing, gathering wood, and berry picking. He often would skin, and tan the animals from his catches, as well as his sons Tommy Adams Jr. and Charles Adams animals they brought home. Tommy enjoyed providing for his family from his successful fishing and hunting abilities, and often cared for the warmth of the children, and grandchildren by chopping, and gathering wood.
His lifestyle was simple and basic survival that he was grateful for based on the Inupiaq Values. At the end of the day he was thankful for the blessings of food, and housing that God generously provided since he lived in a rich land full of natural resources. It brought happiness to him, and he grew to love Kivalina very much.
After his wife passed on at an early age Tommy continued to enjoy the comforts of having a good cooked meal, and a clean house thanks to his daughter Emma Booth who devoted her life to care for her father up until his dying moment.
His children gave him a will to live after his wife died, and he continued to live to provide the comforts of being a parent to them. He acted as a father to his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle, Camille whom he legally adopted, the late Timothy Sage, and Kyle Sage whom he took under his wing to provide food, and shelter to Tommy. He provided nicknames to those dear to him: Dolly Hawley he called “Kiitihit”, Margaret Baldwin “Sugar” since she had a puppy named that, Andrea Baldwin “Baq”, Angeline Hawley “Maalat”, JC Hawley “Soyaq”, Camille Adams “Alik”, Brenda Hawley “Hender/Brenda Horrvak”, Ahquk “Aaqauqsraq”, Alex “Olly-aunder” and Isabelle Gayle Harris “Alaq.”
It was teasing names he gave to them as children, and he enjoyed laughing after calling out the names that displayed his sense of humor. He often provided security to the children when they played around the house, scolding their mischief that he quickly forgave in balanced discipline.
Tommy became enriched in his life by his friendships with many who passed on such as the late Bobby and Sarah Hawley, Esther and Oscar Sage Sr., Enoch Adams Sr. and Douglas Swan whom he shared many fond memories at the Adams house.
As time flew people passed on, and Tommy could often be found sitting on his front porch in the summer where he would have conversations in his older years with people who stopped by such as the late Raymond Hawley, Russel Adams Sr., and Oran Knox. Barbara Wesley and Lucy Adams often checked up on him as a dear friend in their old age ministering to him.
In his last three years Tommy moved to Anchorage seasonally to escape the cold winters, and live closer to the hospital. It was bittersweet for him to be there because it was hard to be gone from Kivalina he loved very much, and good because during that time he was allowed a time to get closer to God. He could often be found praying the Lord’s Prayer, and prayed with his grandchildren who actively prayed with him and helped care for him who lived in Anchorage that he got to spend time with.
One of his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle received her Masters of Christian Ministry, and ministered to her grandfather about salvation, and prayed with him throughout her studies to lead him to a deeper understanding to enrich his prayer life during his stay. He had the best of both worlds living in Kivalina (that he looked forward to going home to), and the comforts of having a good apartment with a good caretaker with his daughter because he did not want to be in a senior home.
It was a challenging time for Tommy, but he got closer to God during that time praying for the day to go back to his hometown, and in the end, home to Heaven that is much better because he was able to find salvation in trusting in the Lord while away from his comfort zone in Kivalina.
Tommy overcame many health scares which God brought him through. In the end the biggest battle he faced was Pneumonia, an aggressive one which he fought many obstacles with a strong will to live that impressed the doctors with his strength. His mental and physical strength allowed him to fight so far, but his suffering was not in vain. That time allowed him to be purified and get closer to God.
He had opportunity for many, many people to pray with him during his time of affliction. It is a glory to God to endure patient affliction with the strength Tommy had showed the strong resiliency of his generation to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong. In the end, the victory is won with Christ who overcame. 1 Corinthians 15:55 proclaims “Oh death where art thou sting? O grave where is thy victory?” When God brings you to it, he will bring you through it, and does not promise a calm passage, but He does guarantee a safe landing.
Tommy is survived by his children, Emma Booth, Pauline Koonuk, Tommy Adams Jr. and wife April Adams, Charles Ryan Adams and Wife Henrietta Adams, Laurie Adams, and legally adopted Camille Adams, and Andrew Baldwin Sr. as his step-son from his wife Angeline. He and his wife raised Vera Venters, Dollie Hawley, and Tickoop Hawley as his own, for her sister Sarah Hawley; grandchildren, Isabelle Gayle Harris married to Grover Harris, Kyle Peter Sage whom he raised as his own, Racheal Koonuk, Harry Koonuk, Tommy Lee Koonuk, Georgia Koonuk, Jared Booth, Jori Morris, Justin Booth, Jordan Adams, Jeremy Adams, Serena Adams, Shelby Adams, Seth Adams, Andrew Baldwin Jr., Johnny Baldwin, Terry Baldwin, Margaret Baldwin, Andrea Baldwin; great-Grandchildren: Joel Swan, Taylor Sage, Dion ‘Poco’ Hunnicutt, Vanessa Adams, Shauna Koonuk, Loretta Baldwin, Mia Ann Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin, Scotty Baldwin, Nocton Seedah Baldwin, Sadee Baldwin, Jay-Jay Baldwin, Lowell Stanley Baldwin, Cheyanne Baldwin, Justin Kinnevauk, Richard Kineeveauk Jr.; great-great Grandchildren: Zeanna Hawley; brother: Tillman Adams; and sister Mariam Norton
Tommy was preceded in death by his wife Angeline ‘Baldwin’ Adams; brother, Victor Adams Jr.; Step-mother Bertha Adams; daughter, Gertrude Adams; grandsons, Timothy Sage, Ray Koonuk Jr.; father, Victor Adams Sr.; mother, Emma ‘Coppock’ Adams; grandparents, Nakaaq and Qiagan; uncle and aunts, Milton and Martha Swan, Hilda Swan, Clinton and Charlotte Swan, Ruth and Tommy Sage.
Tommy considered all the people in Kivalina to be his family, and understood that he had close relations with the Swan family by blood, the Hawley family by his wife’s blood, and his in laws the Wesley family through marriage. He accepted Grover Harris as his son in law, and considered all of Grover’s family the Harris family as part of his extended in laws he appreciated.
Thank you all for the assistance, prayers, and help during this time of need. May God bless you all richly with love, compassion, and good service.
A memorial service will be held 1pm, Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 at the Kivalina Friends Church in Kivalina, Alaska. Burial will follow at Kivalina Cemetery. Pallbearers will include, Kyle Sage, Andrew Seedah Baldwin Jr., Harold Booth, James Booth, John Charles Hawley and Alex Hawley.
Tommy was born to Victor Adams Sr. and Emma Coppock on December 5, 1929 in Noatak, Alaska. He grew up in Noatak, Alaska but moved to Kivalina, Alaska at the age of 16. Tommy lived in a generation where many did not graduate from school, and he went up to the fourth grade. His basic education was sufficient for him to read and write so that he can succeed in simple tasks that were necessary for survival in a time where the natives transitioned into modern society. Tommy quit school in order to reindeer herd with his dad as a teenager.
Tommy lived in a transitional era where young men traveled to the Aleutian Islands for employment seasonally with odd jobs in the summer in order to provide for his family, as well as subsistence hunting that sustained his family.
Tommy joined the Army National Guard in the 60s and served for 29 years. His memorable story often reflected the time where the guardsmen traveled to Anchorage in 1964 when the big earthquake occurred. He often remembered the terror, and time they all worked together to survive the biggest earthquake to this date, and had to work together to help survive the event, as well as help others to get through. He retired achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Tommy married Angeline Baldwin in approximately 1950 in Kivalina, Alaska. They were happily married for 30 years.
Tommy became a community member of Kivalina where his wife lived, and participated in the traditional hunting for survival, such as the whaling hunts he enjoyed very much as a part of the Koenig’s crew. Tommy enjoyed hunting, fishing, gathering wood, and berry picking. He often would skin, and tan the animals from his catches, as well as his sons Tommy Adams Jr. and Charles Adams animals they brought home. Tommy enjoyed providing for his family from his successful fishing and hunting abilities, and often cared for the warmth of the children, and grandchildren by chopping, and gathering wood.
His lifestyle was simple and basic survival that he was grateful for based on the Inupiaq Values. At the end of the day he was thankful for the blessings of food, and housing that God generously provided since he lived in a rich land full of natural resources. It brought happiness to him, and he grew to love Kivalina very much.
After his wife passed on at an early age Tommy continued to enjoy the comforts of having a good cooked meal, and a clean house thanks to his daughter Emma Booth who devoted her life to care for her father up until his dying moment.
His children gave him a will to live after his wife died, and he continued to live to provide the comforts of being a parent to them. He acted as a father to his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle, Camille whom he legally adopted, the late Timothy Sage, and Kyle Sage whom he took under his wing to provide food, and shelter to Tommy. He provided nicknames to those dear to him: Dolly Hawley he called “Kiitihit”, Margaret Baldwin “Sugar” since she had a puppy named that, Andrea Baldwin “Baq”, Angeline Hawley “Maalat”, JC Hawley “Soyaq”, Camille Adams “Alik”, Brenda Hawley “Hender/Brenda Horrvak”, Ahquk “Aaqauqsraq”, Alex “Olly-aunder” and Isabelle Gayle Harris “Alaq.”
It was teasing names he gave to them as children, and he enjoyed laughing after calling out the names that displayed his sense of humor. He often provided security to the children when they played around the house, scolding their mischief that he quickly forgave in balanced discipline.
Tommy became enriched in his life by his friendships with many who passed on such as the late Bobby and Sarah Hawley, Esther and Oscar Sage Sr., Enoch Adams Sr. and Douglas Swan whom he shared many fond memories at the Adams house.
As time flew people passed on, and Tommy could often be found sitting on his front porch in the summer where he would have conversations in his older years with people who stopped by such as the late Raymond Hawley, Russel Adams Sr., and Oran Knox. Barbara Wesley and Lucy Adams often checked up on him as a dear friend in their old age ministering to him.
In his last three years Tommy moved to Anchorage seasonally to escape the cold winters, and live closer to the hospital. It was bittersweet for him to be there because it was hard to be gone from Kivalina he loved very much, and good because during that time he was allowed a time to get closer to God. He could often be found praying the Lord’s Prayer, and prayed with his grandchildren who actively prayed with him and helped care for him who lived in Anchorage that he got to spend time with.
One of his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle received her Masters of Christian Ministry, and ministered to her grandfather about salvation, and prayed with him throughout her studies to lead him to a deeper understanding to enrich his prayer life during his stay. He had the best of both worlds living in Kivalina (that he looked forward to going home to), and the comforts of having a good apartment with a good caretaker with his daughter because he did not want to be in a senior home.
It was a challenging time for Tommy, but he got closer to God during that time praying for the day to go back to his hometown, and in the end, home to Heaven that is much better because he was able to find salvation in trusting in the Lord while away from his comfort zone in Kivalina.
Tommy overcame many health scares which God brought him through. In the end the biggest battle he faced was Pneumonia, an aggressive one which he fought many obstacles with a strong will to live that impressed the doctors with his strength. His mental and physical strength allowed him to fight so far, but his suffering was not in vain. That time allowed him to be purified and get closer to God.
He had opportunity for many, many people to pray with him during his time of affliction. It is a glory to God to endure patient affliction with the strength Tommy had showed the strong resiliency of his generation to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong. In the end, the victory is won with Christ who overcame. 1 Corinthians 15:55 proclaims “Oh death where art thou sting? O grave where is thy victory?” When God brings you to it, he will bring you through it, and does not promise a calm passage, but He does guarantee a safe landing.
Tommy is survived by his children, Emma Booth, Pauline Koonuk, Tommy Adams Jr. and wife April Adams, Charles Ryan Adams and Wife Henrietta Adams, Laurie Adams, and legally adopted Camille Adams, and Andrew Baldwin Sr. as his step-son from his wife Angeline. He and his wife raised Vera Venters, Dollie Hawley, and Tickoop Hawley as his own, for her sister Sarah Hawley; grandchildren, Isabelle Gayle Harris married to Grover Harris, Kyle Peter Sage whom he raised as his own, Racheal Koonuk, Harry Koonuk, Tommy Lee Koonuk, Georgia Koonuk, Jared Booth, Jori Morris, Justin Booth, Jordan Adams, Jeremy Adams, Serena Adams, Shelby Adams, Seth Adams, Andrew Baldwin Jr., Johnny Baldwin, Terry Baldwin, Margaret Baldwin, Andrea Baldwin; great-Grandchildren: Joel Swan, Taylor Sage, Dion ‘Poco’ Hunnicutt, Vanessa Adams, Shauna Koonuk, Loretta Baldwin, Mia Ann Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin, Scotty Baldwin, Nocton Seedah Baldwin, Sadee Baldwin, Jay-Jay Baldwin, Lowell Stanley Baldwin, Cheyanne Baldwin, Justin Kinnevauk, Richard Kineeveauk Jr.; great-great Grandchildren: Zeanna Hawley; brother: Tillman Adams; and sister Mariam Norton
Tommy was preceded in death by his wife Angeline ‘Baldwin’ Adams; brother, Victor Adams Jr.; Step-mother Bertha Adams; daughter, Gertrude Adams; grandsons, Timothy Sage, Ray Koonuk Jr.; father, Victor Adams Sr.; mother, Emma ‘Coppock’ Adams; grandparents, Nakaaq and Qiagan; uncle and aunts, Milton and Martha Swan, Hilda Swan, Clinton and Charlotte Swan, Ruth and Tommy Sage.
Tommy considered all the people in Kivalina to be his family, and understood that he had close relations with the Swan family by blood, the Hawley family by his wife’s blood, and his in laws the Wesley family through marriage. He accepted Grover Harris as his son in law, and considered all of Grover’s family the Harris family as part of his extended in laws he appreciated.
Thank you all for the assistance, prayers, and help during this time of need. May God bless you all richly with love, compassion, and good service.
Tommy Adams Sr., 86, passed away on January 24, 2016 at Alaska Native Medical Center, in Anchorage, Alaska.
A memorial service will be held 1pm, Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 at the Kivalina Friends Church in Kivalina, Alaska. Burial will follow at Kivalina Cemetery. Pallbearers will include, Kyle Sage, Andrew Seedah Baldwin Jr., Harold Booth, James Booth, John Charles Hawley and Alex Hawley.
Tommy was born to Victor Adams Sr. and Emma Coppock on December 5, 1929 in Noatak, Alaska. He grew up in Noatak, Alaska but moved to Kivalina, Alaska at the age of 16. Tommy lived in a generation where many did not graduate from school, and he went up to the fourth grade. His basic education was sufficient for him to read and write so that he can succeed in simple tasks that were necessary for survival in a time where the natives transitioned into modern society. Tommy quit school in order to reindeer herd with his dad as a teenager.
Tommy lived in a transitional era where young men traveled to the Aleutian Islands for employment seasonally with odd jobs in the summer in order to provide for his family, as well as subsistence hunting that sustained his family.
Tommy joined the Army National Guard in the 60s and served for 29 years. His memorable story often reflected the time where the guardsmen traveled to Anchorage in 1964 when the big earthquake occurred. He often remembered the terror, and time they all worked together to survive the biggest earthquake to this date, and had to work together to help survive the event, as well as help others to get through. He retired achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Tommy married Angeline Baldwin in approximately 1950 in Kivalina, Alaska. They were happily married for 30 years.
Tommy became a community member of Kivalina where his wife lived, and participated in the traditional hunting for survival, such as the whaling hunts he enjoyed very much as a part of the Koenig’s crew. Tommy enjoyed hunting, fishing, gathering wood, and berry picking. He often would skin, and tan the animals from his catches, as well as his sons Tommy Adams Jr. and Charles Adams animals they brought home. Tommy enjoyed providing for his family from his successful fishing and hunting abilities, and often cared for the warmth of the children, and grandchildren by chopping, and gathering wood.
His lifestyle was simple and basic survival that he was grateful for based on the Inupiaq Values. At the end of the day he was thankful for the blessings of food, and housing that God generously provided since he lived in a rich land full of natural resources. It brought happiness to him, and he grew to love Kivalina very much.
After his wife passed on at an early age Tommy continued to enjoy the comforts of having a good cooked meal, and a clean house thanks to his daughter Emma Booth who devoted her life to care for her father up until his dying moment.
His children gave him a will to live after his wife died, and he continued to live to provide the comforts of being a parent to them. He acted as a father to his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle, Camille whom he legally adopted, the late Timothy Sage, and Kyle Sage whom he took under his wing to provide food, and shelter to Tommy. He provided nicknames to those dear to him: Dolly Hawley he called “Kiitihit”, Margaret Baldwin “Sugar” since she had a puppy named that, Andrea Baldwin “Baq”, Angeline Hawley “Maalat”, JC Hawley “Soyaq”, Camille Adams “Alik”, Brenda Hawley “Hender/Brenda Horrvak”, Ahquk “Aaqauqsraq”, Alex “Olly-aunder” and Isabelle Gayle Harris “Alaq.”
It was teasing names he gave to them as children, and he enjoyed laughing after calling out the names that displayed his sense of humor. He often provided security to the children when they played around the house, scolding their mischief that he quickly forgave in balanced discipline.
Tommy became enriched in his life by his friendships with many who passed on such as the late Bobby and Sarah Hawley, Esther and Oscar Sage Sr., Enoch Adams Sr. and Douglas Swan whom he shared many fond memories at the Adams house.
As time flew people passed on, and Tommy could often be found sitting on his front porch in the summer where he would have conversations in his older years with people who stopped by such as the late Raymond Hawley, Russel Adams Sr., and Oran Knox. Barbara Wesley and Lucy Adams often checked up on him as a dear friend in their old age ministering to him.
In his last three years Tommy moved to Anchorage seasonally to escape the cold winters, and live closer to the hospital. It was bittersweet for him to be there because it was hard to be gone from Kivalina he loved very much, and good because during that time he was allowed a time to get closer to God. He could often be found praying the Lord’s Prayer, and prayed with his grandchildren who actively prayed with him and helped care for him who lived in Anchorage that he got to spend time with.
One of his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle received her Masters of Christian Ministry, and ministered to her grandfather about salvation, and prayed with him throughout her studies to lead him to a deeper understanding to enrich his prayer life during his stay. He had the best of both worlds living in Kivalina (that he looked forward to going home to), and the comforts of having a good apartment with a good caretaker with his daughter because he did not want to be in a senior home.
It was a challenging time for Tommy, but he got closer to God during that time praying for the day to go back to his hometown, and in the end, home to Heaven that is much better because he was able to find salvation in trusting in the Lord while away from his comfort zone in Kivalina.
Tommy overcame many health scares which God brought him through. In the end the biggest battle he faced was Pneumonia, an aggressive one which he fought many obstacles with a strong will to live that impressed the doctors with his strength. His mental and physical strength allowed him to fight so far, but his suffering was not in vain. That time allowed him to be purified and get closer to God.
He had opportunity for many, many people to pray with him during his time of affliction. It is a glory to God to endure patient affliction with the strength Tommy had showed the strong resiliency of his generation to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong. In the end, the victory is won with Christ who overcame. 1 Corinthians 15:55 proclaims “Oh death where art thou sting? O grave where is thy victory?” When God brings you to it, he will bring you through it, and does not promise a calm passage, but He does guarantee a safe landing.
Tommy is survived by his children, Emma Booth, Pauline Koonuk, Tommy Adams Jr. and wife April Adams, Charles Ryan Adams and Wife Henrietta Adams, Laurie Adams, and legally adopted Camille Adams, and Andrew Baldwin Sr. as his step-son from his wife Angeline. He and his wife raised Vera Venters, Dollie Hawley, and Tickoop Hawley as his own, for her sister Sarah Hawley; grandchildren, Isabelle Gayle Harris married to Grover Harris, Kyle Peter Sage whom he raised as his own, Racheal Koonuk, Harry Koonuk, Tommy Lee Koonuk, Georgia Koonuk, Jared Booth, Jori Morris, Justin Booth, Jordan Adams, Jeremy Adams, Serena Adams, Shelby Adams, Seth Adams, Andrew Baldwin Jr., Johnny Baldwin, Terry Baldwin, Margaret Baldwin, Andrea Baldwin; great-Grandchildren: Joel Swan, Taylor Sage, Dion ‘Poco’ Hunnicutt, Vanessa Adams, Shauna Koonuk, Loretta Baldwin, Mia Ann Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin, Scotty Baldwin, Nocton Seedah Baldwin, Sadee Baldwin, Jay-Jay Baldwin, Lowell Stanley Baldwin, Cheyanne Baldwin, Justin Kinnevauk, Richard Kineeveauk Jr.; great-great Grandchildren: Zeanna Hawley; brother: Tillman Adams; and sister Mariam Norton
Tommy was preceded in death by his wife Angeline ‘Baldwin’ Adams; brother, Victor Adams Jr.; Step-mother Bertha Adams; daughter, Gertrude Adams; grandsons, Timothy Sage, Ray Koonuk Jr.; father, Victor Adams Sr.; mother, Emma ‘Coppock’ Adams; grandparents, Nakaaq and Qiagan; uncle and aunts, Milton and Martha Swan, Hilda Swan, Clinton and Charlotte Swan, Ruth and Tommy Sage.
Tommy considered all the people in Kivalina to be his family, and understood that he had close relations with the Swan family by blood, the Hawley family by his wife’s blood, and his in laws the Wesley family through marriage. He accepted Grover Harris as his son in law, and considered all of Grover’s family the Harris family as part of his extended in laws he appreciated.
Thank you all for the assistance, prayers, and help during this time of need. May God bless you all richly with love, compassion, and good service.
A memorial service will be held 1pm, Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 at the Kivalina Friends Church in Kivalina, Alaska. Burial will follow at Kivalina Cemetery. Pallbearers will include, Kyle Sage, Andrew Seedah Baldwin Jr., Harold Booth, James Booth, John Charles Hawley and Alex Hawley.
Tommy was born to Victor Adams Sr. and Emma Coppock on December 5, 1929 in Noatak, Alaska. He grew up in Noatak, Alaska but moved to Kivalina, Alaska at the age of 16. Tommy lived in a generation where many did not graduate from school, and he went up to the fourth grade. His basic education was sufficient for him to read and write so that he can succeed in simple tasks that were necessary for survival in a time where the natives transitioned into modern society. Tommy quit school in order to reindeer herd with his dad as a teenager.
Tommy lived in a transitional era where young men traveled to the Aleutian Islands for employment seasonally with odd jobs in the summer in order to provide for his family, as well as subsistence hunting that sustained his family.
Tommy joined the Army National Guard in the 60s and served for 29 years. His memorable story often reflected the time where the guardsmen traveled to Anchorage in 1964 when the big earthquake occurred. He often remembered the terror, and time they all worked together to survive the biggest earthquake to this date, and had to work together to help survive the event, as well as help others to get through. He retired achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Tommy married Angeline Baldwin in approximately 1950 in Kivalina, Alaska. They were happily married for 30 years.
Tommy became a community member of Kivalina where his wife lived, and participated in the traditional hunting for survival, such as the whaling hunts he enjoyed very much as a part of the Koenig’s crew. Tommy enjoyed hunting, fishing, gathering wood, and berry picking. He often would skin, and tan the animals from his catches, as well as his sons Tommy Adams Jr. and Charles Adams animals they brought home. Tommy enjoyed providing for his family from his successful fishing and hunting abilities, and often cared for the warmth of the children, and grandchildren by chopping, and gathering wood.
His lifestyle was simple and basic survival that he was grateful for based on the Inupiaq Values. At the end of the day he was thankful for the blessings of food, and housing that God generously provided since he lived in a rich land full of natural resources. It brought happiness to him, and he grew to love Kivalina very much.
After his wife passed on at an early age Tommy continued to enjoy the comforts of having a good cooked meal, and a clean house thanks to his daughter Emma Booth who devoted her life to care for her father up until his dying moment.
His children gave him a will to live after his wife died, and he continued to live to provide the comforts of being a parent to them. He acted as a father to his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle, Camille whom he legally adopted, the late Timothy Sage, and Kyle Sage whom he took under his wing to provide food, and shelter to Tommy. He provided nicknames to those dear to him: Dolly Hawley he called “Kiitihit”, Margaret Baldwin “Sugar” since she had a puppy named that, Andrea Baldwin “Baq”, Angeline Hawley “Maalat”, JC Hawley “Soyaq”, Camille Adams “Alik”, Brenda Hawley “Hender/Brenda Horrvak”, Ahquk “Aaqauqsraq”, Alex “Olly-aunder” and Isabelle Gayle Harris “Alaq.”
It was teasing names he gave to them as children, and he enjoyed laughing after calling out the names that displayed his sense of humor. He often provided security to the children when they played around the house, scolding their mischief that he quickly forgave in balanced discipline.
Tommy became enriched in his life by his friendships with many who passed on such as the late Bobby and Sarah Hawley, Esther and Oscar Sage Sr., Enoch Adams Sr. and Douglas Swan whom he shared many fond memories at the Adams house.
As time flew people passed on, and Tommy could often be found sitting on his front porch in the summer where he would have conversations in his older years with people who stopped by such as the late Raymond Hawley, Russel Adams Sr., and Oran Knox. Barbara Wesley and Lucy Adams often checked up on him as a dear friend in their old age ministering to him.
In his last three years Tommy moved to Anchorage seasonally to escape the cold winters, and live closer to the hospital. It was bittersweet for him to be there because it was hard to be gone from Kivalina he loved very much, and good because during that time he was allowed a time to get closer to God. He could often be found praying the Lord’s Prayer, and prayed with his grandchildren who actively prayed with him and helped care for him who lived in Anchorage that he got to spend time with.
One of his grandchildren Isabelle Gayle received her Masters of Christian Ministry, and ministered to her grandfather about salvation, and prayed with him throughout her studies to lead him to a deeper understanding to enrich his prayer life during his stay. He had the best of both worlds living in Kivalina (that he looked forward to going home to), and the comforts of having a good apartment with a good caretaker with his daughter because he did not want to be in a senior home.
It was a challenging time for Tommy, but he got closer to God during that time praying for the day to go back to his hometown, and in the end, home to Heaven that is much better because he was able to find salvation in trusting in the Lord while away from his comfort zone in Kivalina.
Tommy overcame many health scares which God brought him through. In the end the biggest battle he faced was Pneumonia, an aggressive one which he fought many obstacles with a strong will to live that impressed the doctors with his strength. His mental and physical strength allowed him to fight so far, but his suffering was not in vain. That time allowed him to be purified and get closer to God.
He had opportunity for many, many people to pray with him during his time of affliction. It is a glory to God to endure patient affliction with the strength Tommy had showed the strong resiliency of his generation to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong. In the end, the victory is won with Christ who overcame. 1 Corinthians 15:55 proclaims “Oh death where art thou sting? O grave where is thy victory?” When God brings you to it, he will bring you through it, and does not promise a calm passage, but He does guarantee a safe landing.
Tommy is survived by his children, Emma Booth, Pauline Koonuk, Tommy Adams Jr. and wife April Adams, Charles Ryan Adams and Wife Henrietta Adams, Laurie Adams, and legally adopted Camille Adams, and Andrew Baldwin Sr. as his step-son from his wife Angeline. He and his wife raised Vera Venters, Dollie Hawley, and Tickoop Hawley as his own, for her sister Sarah Hawley; grandchildren, Isabelle Gayle Harris married to Grover Harris, Kyle Peter Sage whom he raised as his own, Racheal Koonuk, Harry Koonuk, Tommy Lee Koonuk, Georgia Koonuk, Jared Booth, Jori Morris, Justin Booth, Jordan Adams, Jeremy Adams, Serena Adams, Shelby Adams, Seth Adams, Andrew Baldwin Jr., Johnny Baldwin, Terry Baldwin, Margaret Baldwin, Andrea Baldwin; great-Grandchildren: Joel Swan, Taylor Sage, Dion ‘Poco’ Hunnicutt, Vanessa Adams, Shauna Koonuk, Loretta Baldwin, Mia Ann Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin, Scotty Baldwin, Nocton Seedah Baldwin, Sadee Baldwin, Jay-Jay Baldwin, Lowell Stanley Baldwin, Cheyanne Baldwin, Justin Kinnevauk, Richard Kineeveauk Jr.; great-great Grandchildren: Zeanna Hawley; brother: Tillman Adams; and sister Mariam Norton
Tommy was preceded in death by his wife Angeline ‘Baldwin’ Adams; brother, Victor Adams Jr.; Step-mother Bertha Adams; daughter, Gertrude Adams; grandsons, Timothy Sage, Ray Koonuk Jr.; father, Victor Adams Sr.; mother, Emma ‘Coppock’ Adams; grandparents, Nakaaq and Qiagan; uncle and aunts, Milton and Martha Swan, Hilda Swan, Clinton and Charlotte Swan, Ruth and Tommy Sage.
Tommy considered all the people in Kivalina to be his family, and understood that he had close relations with the Swan family by blood, the Hawley family by his wife’s blood, and his in laws the Wesley family through marriage. He accepted Grover Harris as his son in law, and considered all of Grover’s family the Harris family as part of his extended in laws he appreciated.
Thank you all for the assistance, prayers, and help during this time of need. May God bless you all richly with love, compassion, and good service.
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