2013 Honoree - Brady Adams

Louis F. Schultz Distinguished Service Award

Brady Adams epitomized community spirit in Josephine County. For 40 years, he was president and then executive vice-president of Evergreen Federal; from 1997-2002, he was the president of the Oregon Senate.

Adams served on the boards of more than 20 local non-profits and created more than 50 community projects. An example is Pin a Promise, a project that encouraged local residents to make a promise that would better the life of someone else and pin it on Christmas tree at Evergreen Federal. A $1 donation to the Josephine County Christmas Basket Program was made for every pledge.

Without question, Adams’ most famous project was Bear Fest. Started in 2003, Bear Fest utilizes the talents of local artists to fill the streets of Grants Pass with whimsical life-size bears. Additional projects include Magical Musical Christmas Murals, Eagle Fest, and the Doors of Oregon. Adams also was a major supporter of the Blue Slide Project, which created a wheelchair accessible playground at a local elementary school.

“He’s a man who cares about his community. He epitomizes public service,” said Oregon Representative Greg Walden.

Adams died April 6, 2015, at the age of 70, after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for many years.

Selected Non-Profit: The Blue Slide Project