Adam Black Christiansen

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(Sept. 29, 1993 - Sept. 21, 2013)

Adam Black Christiansen died Sept. 21, 2013, in Orem, Utah of an accidental drug overdose.

He was 19.

“We lost a hero and incredible young man, but heaven has received an outstanding warrior,” his family said.

Adam was born Sept. 29, 1993, in Cody, to JoanE Black and Steven Aagard Christiansen. He then lived in Meeteetse and Burlington.

From age 11 to 14, he lived in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. While in Mexico, Adam was severely burned on 40 percent of his body. As a result of the many pain medications used to manage his long recovery, an addictive course was set for the remainder of his life. Though Adam struggled mightily with addictions, his faith was only strengthened. He fasted, prayed, studied, loved and served all the more faithfully.

In spite of his challenges, he accomplished and did much in his life. On his own initiative (without the help of his mother!), he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. He earned his LDS Duty to God Award and was a four-year seminary graduate.

He had firm faith in his Lord and Savior. His testimony was most often expressed in action rather than words. Adam was an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As a friend said, “Adam never knew a stranger and always embraced everyone with love and compassion.” On every family and church pioneer trek, Adam was there to carry anyone across the creeks and pull the handcarts.

Adam loved the outdoors and went on some grand adventures.  In 2012, he spent 10 days hitchhiking alone in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico with little more than a backpack and hammock.

He and his good friend Cash Richmond did a “survival” hike off the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, swam across the Yellowtail Reservoir and biked to Lovell. He skydived just outside Zion’s National Park and raced his brothers off the top of Angel’s Landing to the valley floor below. He biked, hiked, camped, motorcycled, four-wheeled and lived!

Adam was a great athlete and musician. He had leads in several musicals, including “Man of La Mancha,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “The Wizard of Oz.” He played drums, piano and guitar and recorded music with his brother Andrew. 

He participated in football, track and basketball. 

With his farm upbringing, he learned to work hard and understood the “law of the harvest.” Everyone he ever worked for wanted him back when he could. He loved learning new skills. He was particularly appreciative of the home-building skills learned from his friend and mentor, Scott Shoopman. He continued this passion by attending Utah Valley University in the Construction Management Program, where he currently attended at the time of his death.

He also attended Northwest College in Powell, high school in Provo, Utah, and graduated from Powell High School.

He loved his family and friends and often expressed it with a big hug. You knew you’d been hugged when you got an “Adam” hug. Adam lived LIFE — Love In Full Expression — to the maximum. A great void has been created in this world with his passing. His family loves him eternally and will think of Adam every day of their lives.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Arden and Phyllis Christiansen and five cousins. Adam is survived by his parents and siblings, Alayna, Aaron, Andrew, Abby (Colin) and Alexander, all of Provo; grandparents John and Marian Black of Crestwood, Ky. as well as numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. 

A viewing will be held Friday, Sept. 27, from 5-7 p.m. at the LDS Church on Seventh Street in Powell, with visitation Saturday, Sept. 28, at 9 a.m. and funeral services following at 10 a.m. Interment follows in the Burlington cemetery.

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