Pamela “Pam” Jean James-Adamson, 64, of Rapid City, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025.
Pam was born on February 16, 1961, to Wayne and Joan Booth and was the oldest of five children. From a young age, she embraced the role of caretaker—a gift she carried throughout her life. Pam was a devoted mother, a proud grandmother, and later a joyful great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Family was always at the heart of everything she did.
In 1989, Pam met the love of her life, Edgar “Ed” Adamson. They married shortly after and shared 27 loving years together until his passing in 2014. Their marriage was filled with devotion, laughter, and partnership, and Pam carried Ed’s memory with her every day thereafter.
She grew up in Rapid City, where she developed a love for community service and became actively involved in the Civil Air Patrol. Over the years, Pam worked in hospitality, food service, and retail, always remembered for her kindness, warmth, and dedication. In the 1980s, she attended nursing school, reflecting her lifelong commitment to caring for others.
Outside of work, Pam enjoyed camping and fishing. She especially loved cooking, baking, and canning for family and friends. In her later years, she found a cherished role as “House Mom” for the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity in Rapid City, where she became know as “Mama” and a guiding presence and beloved mother figure to many young men who came to see her as family.
Pam will be remembered for her generous spirit, her deep love of family, and her unwavering support of those around her. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched with her compassion, strength, and kindness.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Adamson; her parents, Wayne and Joan Booth; her grandparents Ruby Schmidt and Doc and Josephine Booth; her uncle, Jerald Slater; her brother-in-law, Kirk Oliver; step daughter Barb; as well as other beloved family members.
Pam is survived by her children, Patrick (Ashley) James and Amber Adamson; grandchildren Jazmyn, Jaydin, Brock, Bricon, and Jersey; one grand son; one great-grandchild; one great-great-grandchild; her siblings Don (Rachel) Booth, Tina Cienki, Toni Oliver, and Shawn (Kathy) Booth; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and loved ones who will miss her dearly.
The family asks that those who attend please wear either blue, purple, or green to honor Mama Pam.