October 2008
A Rancher who Wears Many Hats
by Phaedra Greenwood
Don Adams is a busy man. He is the Fire Marshall for Quay County and also a farmer and rancher. “I’ve basically lived in Quay County all my life,” he says. He also spent two years, from 1969 to 1971, in the Marine Corps. His grandma and granddad, who came from Kansas by way of Kentucky, homesteaded in Quay County in 1907. “My dad was 2 years old when he first came here and he was 45 when I was born,” he says.
Adams still owns 160 acres of the old homestead which lies between San Jon and the state line. Four days a week he works on the family farm, runs Charolais cows and raises bulls. He also grows dryland wheat, and irrigates hay and alfalfa.
If all that does not keep him busy enough, he also does administrative work at the courthouse in Tucumcari three days a week for the fire districts. Friends say he works tirelessly as Fire Marshall for the benefit of the rural fire districts in the area. Even though his farm and ranch duties are demanding, he has a reputation for taking the time to help any district with its needs.
His leadership in the county has made a difference in the budget and in the ability of Quay County to fight rural fires.
Adams has been witness to many years of history in the area. “A long time ago the Rock Island Railroad and Route 66 ran through our property,” he says. Sparks from the train often started grass fires. The closest fire department was in San Jon.
Many more fires occur today. In 1982, Adams and his neighbors started the Bard-Endee Fire District right there in his barn with people from both areas. Today they have two stations and 10 trucks, one at Bard and one at Endee. “We started from nothing and built up a nice volunteer department,” he says.
About three and a half years ago when Terry Turner was the county manager, the Quay County Commission created a position for a Fire Marshall. “Terry had a vision of an office that would help volunteers,” Adams says. “He had to meet certain specs to get this office created.” There was no funding to pay a Fire Marshall, but all the same, Adams applied for the position.
“When it was done, we were allowed to pull funding from the state Fire Marshall’s office. We still can’t pay any wages. The county gives me a supplement for serving as the Fire Marshall; the state pays for the lease on the building, furnishes a vehicle and buys gas. We’re very fortunate,” he says. “I don’t know how many counties in the state have a Fire Marshall. We have nine fire chiefs and they are easy to work with. They know what’s going on. I don’t have to do much except help with grants and the flow of paper work. It’s pretty easy because we have a lot of dedicated chiefs and firefighters in our county.”
There are about 250 volunteers in Quay County. “The oldest fire chief is 80 years old and the youngest is probably around 30. We have good turn-out and response when we get a big fire. It’s volunteers helping each other, neighbors helping neighbors. I would urge everyone who is able to join a volunteer department or fire district, and make a difference. The life or property you save may be your own or your neighbor’s. And pray for the men and women in the military,” he adds.
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