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R.D. Adams, 84, of Woodward, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at House of Grace Nursing Home in Mooreland, Oklahoma on May 17, 2025.
Robert Donald Adams was born on November 19, 1940, in Woodward, Oklahoma, to John Q. Adams Sr. and Dorothy Mae Adams. R.D. was raised in rural Woodward County, where he developed a lifelong love for the land, animals, and deep-rooted connection to Western heritage.
R.D. attended Fargo Public Schools and graduated in 1959, he went on to study at Oklahoma State University. In 1962, he made his home off Tangier Road in Woodward County where he started the Y Bar Ranch. He farmed and ranched for over 60 years. A hard-working and dedicated cattleman, he primarily raised beef cattle and operated a small-scale feedlot. Over the years, his ranch also became home to a wide array of animals, including draft horses, sheep, mules, donkeys, mustangs, and even yaks and zebras.
What truly set R.D. apart was his passion for building and restoring stagecoaches, wagons, and buggies. His fascination for the last major cattle trail to operate in the American West passed near his homestead, and this inspired him to title his stagecoaches the Great Western Trail Stage Line. He found immense joy in training draft horses and longhorn steers to drive and even trained one gentle longhorn to ride by saddle, a feat not many cowboys can attest to. He traveled to parades and trail rides near and far, often showcasing his hand built stagecoaches, Conestoga wagons, and his collection of vintage buggies. One of his highlights in his life was giving stagecoach rides in the majestic Superstition Mountains in Phoenix, Arizona.
A Civil War enthusiast, he was also an avid reader even up to a few months before his passing. A true lover of Western traditions, R.D. also found great happiness in country western dancing, especially to western swing music by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. He frequently hosted dances and chuckwagon feeds on his ranch, bringing together family, friends, and neighbors in celebration and camaraderie. He even presented a Wild West show in his arena, attended by many from the tri-state area.
R.D. served several years on the Fargo Public School Board and was a Woodward Elks Lodge member serving on the Elks Rodeo Committee. R.D.'s legacy is one of grit, creativity, and community. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, his devotion to the land and his animals, and the joy he brought so many through this unique storied way of life.
He is survived by one son, Martin Adams and wife Nikki of Karval, Colorado; two daughters: Rita Murphy of Woodward, Oklahoma, Kim Adams and friend Clayton Brownfield of Mannford, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Casey Adams and wife Amanda of Woodson, Texas, Abby Majerle and husband Kelson of Lake Stevens, Washington, Lee Murphy and wife Jessica of May, Oklahoma, Allie Murphy of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Saydee Carl and husband Taran of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Savannah Bojorquez of Weatherford, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren: Ella and Quincy Adams, Fleur Majerle, Weston and Wyatt Murphy and Davey Carl; one brother, Howard Adams and wife Joyce of Fargo, Oklahoma; one sister, Virginia Semrad of Highland Ranch, Colorado; other relatives and many friends.
R.D. was preceded in death by his parents, John Q. Adams Sr. and Dorothy Mae Adams, his brother J.Q. Adams, sister-in-law, Chris Adams, brother-in-law Melvin Semrad, and nephew John Adams.
Graveside funeral services for family, friends, and acquaintances will be held at Fargo Cemetery on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fargo Cemetery Fund in honor of R.D.'s life and legacy with the funeral home accepting the donations. The family will have a reception after the graveside at the Fargo Fire Department Annex.
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