Bryce Louis Sikkiaġruk Adams

Bryce Louis Sikkiaġruk Adams, 19, passed away on Friday, May 25, 2018, in Wasilla, Alaska. Bryce spent his childhood in the northwestern village of Kotzebue, Alaska. It was there that his parents, Guy and Kristi Adams, along with his extended Iñupiaq family, helped shape the young man he grew to become. During his years in Kotzebue, Bryce developed a love for snowmachining, camping, fishing, hunting, and the great outdoors. His cousins and classmates became some of his closest lifelong friends, and he grew up confident in the knowledge that he was loved and supported by the entire Iñupiaq community. In middle school, Bryce moved to the Mat-Su Valley where he joined both the basketball and wrestling teams. Through these sports, he made new friends, set new roots, and fed his adventurous spirit. Life in the Valley also meant snowboarding at Hatcher Pass, playing competitive sports outside of school, and plenty of opportunities to eat out. At Colony High School, Bryce was a strong student who had a special knack for math. He enjoyed competing with his brother academically and often challenged him to see who had better grades. He took pride in being a state champion wrestler during his sophomore year and was excited to be a member of the newly created Colony tennis team. Bryce was fortunate to have teachers and coaches who influenced his life in countless ways. Happy and full of life, Bryce was loved by so many. After high school, Bryce packed up his Spike Ball game, Boom speaker, and Alaska flag and headed off to study electrical engineering at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. He continued his love for sports, participating in intramural volleyball and basketball with his new college buddies. Although he loved his close proximity to the beach and wearing shorts every day, deep down Bryce missed his Alaska home. In the end, he transferred to UAA to complete his engineering degree in Alaska. His brother Spencer meant the world to him. Spencer was more than a brother; he was Bryce’s best friend. Always playful, Bryce liked to stand on his tiptoes in photos so he appeared taller than his brother. He loved to make little wagers with Spencer that he was faster, stronger, or smarter, and the loser would have to pay the bet with pushups. Bryce valued his brother’s advice and admired him deeply. Never short on aspiration, Bryce was always planning and constantly looking forward to new adventures. He was working at Red Dog Mine this summer and hoping to get an apartment with friends when school started again in the fall. His spirit and competitive nature were limitless. He wanted to do everything, and he wanted to do it well. Bryce’s kind heart will always hold both family and friends very close. When he wasn’t at home, Bryce could be found jet skiing, playing basketball, sitting around a campfire, making movies, and playing board games and video games with the best friends a person could possibly have.Through his gift of organ donation, Bryce’s life will go on by helping others live. All of our lives are richer because of Bryce – our little guy who grew up, surpassed us in so many ways, and was bigger than life. For those of you who know Bryce, please keep sharing his stories. Share them with us, in letters and cards and emails. Share them with us when we bump into each other at the grocery store, or at school, or at work. Don’t shy away from us, for we will cherish your memories in the coming months more than ever. Most especially, share your memories on the spectacular rivers and lakes of Alaska. Enjoy this amazing place we call home, but remind the person next to you to buckle up. Remember Bryce every time you buckle a life jacket for a beloved classmate, friend, cousin, nephew, grandson, brother, or child. Visitation will take place at 12:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Palmer. A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations of life jackets made to “Kids Don’t Float” or monetary donations in Bryce’s name to the Susitna Rotary to support educational programs through the “Kids Don’t Float” program.