Stan J Adams

Stan J Adams of Layton, Utah passed away the evening of his 87^th birthday, September 9, 2022. A man who was larger than life, he brought joy to all those around him.

Stan J was born in Kaysville, Utah to Joseph Reuben and Lillian Rose (Schofield) Adams. He was the 3^rd of 5 children, including, JoAnn, Garth, Jayne, and Thora. He spent his childhood playing baseball, continuing his passion for the sport all through school. He attended Davis High, where he met his first wife.

Stan J and Maxine Rae Baker married young, and although the marriage did not last, together they had five children who meant the world to him. Stanna, Destry, Leslie, Susan, and Leisa were his greatest joys in life. Described by his children as their “rock,” he never let them down. Always there to make them laugh, cheer them on, and provide comfort, he was fiercely protective and loved them unconditionally. He was a devoted father and grandfather until the end.

His love and generosity were not limited to his children. Loving her as his own, Wendy, half-sister to his children, held a special place in his heart and was always part of his family. She lovingly referred to him as “Daddy Stan,” and knew she could always count on him to be there for her and her children in times of need. They will always cherish the times they spent together celebrating birthdays and holidays. Also important to him were his many nieces and nephews, even helping to raise Steven and Kasey Hardy. He also helped to raise Melody, his foster daughter whom he shared with his second wife, Carolann Birkenfeld.

Stan J and Carolann shared many decades together, marrying June 1, 1985. Their years together were full of adventure. From hunting to snowmobiling, life with Stan was always exciting.

A Brick Mason for over 45 years, Stan J worked hard but played harder. He was an avid bowler, champion water skier, and softball player. He enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting, spending much of his time outdoors. He loved western films, especially those with John Wayne, his dually diesel Dodge truck, and his many well-cared for Stetson hats. In his later years, he loved working in his vegetable garden and maintaining his “moonshine still,” under the apple tree.

Stan J was a known jokester, character, and storyteller (fact or fiction, no one could tell). He got a kick out of playing jokes on his grandchildren, convincing them to eat weird things or put nail polish on their faces to remove freckles. He taught many of them to say the alphabet backwards, “just in case,” and always made them roll with laughter by flipping off rude drivers with his pinky finger. But he was there for more than just laughs, he never missed an opportunity to cheer on or support his grandchildren. He showed up for their many sporting events, graduations, birthdays, and weddings, and was always “tickled pink” to hear about their accomplishments. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren absolutely adored him and will miss him terribly. 

As the character he was, he carried a bottle of tabasco sauce in his overalls, keeping it ready for every meal, including his favorite, Chinese. He was meticulous about everything in life, from his yard, mowing his lawn in a perfect checkerboard pattern, to sandwich making, perfectly spreading and stacking every ingredient. He wrote enough post-it note birthday cards to wrap around the world, and his family could always expect a phone call with a Stan J original happy birthday song.

Stan J never had a bad word to say about anyone and would not stand for gossip or ill-talk in his presence. He will live on in the memories of those he loved, for he left an indelible mark on their hearts and souls.  

He is survived by his wife Carolann Adams, children Stanna Weaver, Destry (Tammy) Adams, Leslie (Daniel) Wilkins, Susan (Bruce) Ogden, Leisa Adams, Wendy (Terry) Baker, and Melody Ybarra, his grandchildren Nathan (Cami), Chris (Kristin), John (Amber), Cameron (Katie), Chantal, Destry Jr., Twila, Lindsay, Clay (Valerie), Carlie (Gabe), Colton (Whitney), Matthew, Sara, Jake, Marquee (Brandon), Kylee, Quade, Aubrey, Chevis, Sydney, Cody, Cory, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, sister Thora Lewis, nephews Kirk and Joel, and nieces Heidi and Jill.

He is preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, son-in-law DeLynn Weaver, granddaughter Katie Nichole Ogden, great-grandson Max Weaver, siblings JoAnn Angeli, Garth Adams, Lillian Jayne Hardy, brothers-in-law, John Lewis, Lynn Foxley, Rudy Angeli, nephews Guy, Steven and Kasey, and nieces Melinda and Janae.

Funeral Services will be held Friday September 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Thursday September 15,  from 6 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.

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