Joseph M. Adams "Jack" was born September 26, 1923 in Beresford, South Dakota to John and Helen (Fitzgerald) Adams. He died December 5, 2013 at Bethesda of Beresford at the age of 90 years, two months and nine days. Jack was raised in Beresford where he graduated from high school. At the time his family moved to Anacortes, Washington, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps. Jack was a paratrooper during WWII; he served in the Pacific Theatre at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was very proud of his country. Following his honorable discharge Jack returned to Beresford where he married Evelyn Johnson on March 29, 1948. Together they made Beresford their home and raised their family. He was a long time employee of Farmer's Elevator and retired in 1986 after working as the manager. Jack was a member of the Beresford VFW and American Legion Post, enjoyed bowling and playing golf. He spent many years volunteering for the Beresford Fire Department and Ambulance Service as a driver. During his years on the Beresford Fire Department he worked his way up to Asst. Chief. His greatest passion was watching his grandchildren participate in all their activities. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; daughter, Marsha (Dave) Nelson of Beresford; three sons, Doug (Rita) of Beresford, Dean of Beresford and Joe (Tanya) of Sioux Falls; 13 grandchildren, Chad Nelson and his fiancée Amy Kuchta, Adam (Michelle) Nelson, Ryan (Monica) Nelson, Jeramie (Kristi) Adams, Matt Adams and Mikala Larsen, Lucas (Katie) Adams, Nick Adams, Alex Cain, Andrea (Chris) Anderson, Mary (Trevor) Hansen, Jill Adams, Brooke Adams and Ashlee Cain; and 15 great-grandchildren, Dayshon, Brynn, Adyson, Denver, Scott, Cooper, Finley, Jace, Maya, Alex, Jaycie, Emmarie, Grayson, Wesley and Bergen. He is also survived by two sisters, JoAnn Graham of Beresford and Donna Poeppel of Spokane, WA; three brothers, Bill of Anacortes, WA, Dennis (Lorraine) of Anacortes, WA and Patrick (Arlene) of Huntington Beach, CA and numerous other family and friends. His parents, brother, Milton and five sisters, Maxine, Bernadine, Lavonne, Audrey and Leona preceded him in death. Funeral services for Jack will be 2PM Monday, December 9, 2013 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Visitation with the family present will be 5:30-8PM Sunday at the church with a prayer service at 7PM. The family requests memorials to Bethesda of Beresford or Emmanuel Lutheran Church.