Mitchell Adams Jr.

Mitchell Adams Jr., affectionately known as “Catfish” and “Mitch” was born to the late Mitchell Adams Sr., and Ola Mae Traywick Adams in Michigan City, Indiana on March 7, 1946.

Mitchell attended Michigan City Area Schools, completing his education while he was enlisted in the United States Army. After Mitchell was honorably discharged he returned to Michigan City, Indiana.

He relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he worked at Koch Refinery. After retiring from Koch, Mitchell’s entrepreneurial spirit showed forth as a restaurant owner, insurance agent, and Medical transport and finally, as the owner of Greenwerksmn. Greenwerksmn was a certified minority owned company specializing in energy efficient insulation. This insulation was made of 85% recycled blue jeans making it safer and healthier for occupants and the environment. He also became interested in social entrepreneurship. He would insulate senior’s home for free.

After a conference on closing the gap between minority owned and large contractors, he became a founding member of Twin City Construction Collaborative, (TCCC). This was a group of small contractors which came together to team and collaborate in order to compete with the larger companies. He was also a member of the National Association of Minority Contractors and mentor to most. Mitchell was also a member of MASCA, (Metro Area Small Contractor Alliance), the support resource for small contractors seeking residential and commercial Opportunities.

Mitchell was considered by the City of Minneapolis as one of their favorite contractors because of his referral of small minority and women contractors to their Business technical Assistance Programs (BTAP) and their Cooperative Technical Assistance program for contractors looking to set up cooperatives.

Mitchell developed leukemia and he started One Chance, a 501 c3 to help increase minority participation in stem cell transplants and research.

 April of 2018, Mitch became ill and he to returned to Michigan City, Indiana. He joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

Mitchell Adams Jr., entered into eternal rest March 18, 2020 at the Golden Living Nursing Home of LaPorte, Indiana. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Major Adams, Clyde Roby and Melvin Adams and one brother-in-law, Wilbert Turner.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories, his children, Janay Adams and Elliett Williams both of St. Paul, Minnesota; one beloved sister, Mattie Turner of Michigan City, Indiana; two grandchildren, Dante’ and Dalton Gavin both of St. Paul, Minnesota; close childhood friends, James and Estelle Henley, special cousins, John (Carlotta) Adams and Tammy Amico; devoted friends, Albert Allison, Ben Jackson, Robert Memf, Carl (Lisa) Varrie, Alan Brown, Minister Steve (Wilma) Wilson, Rev. Bobby Lewis, Tyrone (Marilyn) Perteet, John Meriweather and Larry Williams; close friend, Rose “Bunch” Bronson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be 10:00 am to 11:00am on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Coleman & Hicks Chapel. Services will be private. Burial will take place at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mitchell Adams Jr., please visit our floral store.