Julius Milford "Bus" SHAFFER MCADAMS

MCADAMS, SHAFFER, MADISON, AHRENS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/27/2007 at 10:55:11

October 4, 2007

Julius Milford "Bus" McAdams, 93, of Dows, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2007, at the Hampton Health Care Center. Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 27, at the First Lutheran Church in Dows. Pastor Robert Edwards officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery, Dows. Military rites were provided by the Dows American Legion Post #523.

Bus was born on November 3, 1913, the son of Hilda and Ed Shaffer and was raised in Franklin County. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Josephine and Clyde McAdams and eventually took their name. During his early teens, Bus came under the tutelage of V.B. Hamilton, a young county agent and 4-H Leader who would go on to earn national and international recognition. Hamilton engendered a lifelong love of agriculture in Bus. He was proud of his membership in the Franklin County 4-H, the largest chapter in the nation with over 400 members. Bus was a member of the award-winning Franklin County 4-H team who judged cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep at the State Fair. He visited the Franklin County Fair this summer, where he met many old friends and reminisced about his experiences. He worked for the Byron Meyer Livestock Company in Dows. He later became partners with Barney in the business and then owner of the business, which was renamed McAdams Livestock Company. He was known for honesty both with farmers and packing plants. Bus attended Iowa State for two years and was a diehard Iowa State fan. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War 11. He was active in the community for many years, particularly on Community Betterment and Corn Days Committees. He was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church in Dows and served as the first president of the congregation as well as on the church council and the building committee. He was a charter member of the Dows Lions Club and celebrated his 50th year as a Lions Club member in 2001. Bus was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Elks and American Legion. He loved to fish and hunt.

Bus and Pearl Madison of Goldfield, were married on October 22, 1937. They celebrated 65 years of marriage together. He is survived by two sons, Fred McAdams and wife, Vivian and Nile McAdams and wife, Tara; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Milo Shaffer and wife, Milda; a sister, Maxine Ahrens and husband, Don; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Pearl.

© Wright County Monitor 2007