Dean Edward Adams

Dean Edward Adams was born on September 26, 1942 in Athens, Illinois, to Ralph and Maxine Adams. He was raised in Springfield, Illinois along with his brother, Dave, until grade school when they moved to Whittier, California. He graduated from Sierra High School in 1960.

After high school, Dean enlisted in the US Army and served in Vietnam as an MP. His military service medals include: Sharpshooting in pistol and rifle, Good Conduct, the National Defense Service Medal in Vietnam and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Award. While there, he met and married Linda Tran and they had a daughter. After returning home to California from the war in 1966, he and Linda divorced. He then married his high school sweetheart, Patricia (Hilton) Adams. They were married for 17 years and had 6 children together.

In 1976, they moved to Cheney, Washington, joining his parents and brother who both settled nearby in Medical Lake, Washington. He was a driver by trade; long haul trucking for most of his working years. He was a great softball player and then an umpire for many years. He was also a referee for high school basketball games. Dean was an avid sports enthusiast. He loved all sports, but especially the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners and Gonzaga Bulldogs.

In 1993, he married the love of his life, Estella Howland Adams. They would have celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary in January. In 2002, he and Estella moved to Laughlin, Nevada, where they enjoyed the warmth of the desert for many years. In 2020, they returned to Spokane to be near their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

He left this earth at the age of 81 on December 9, 2023 peacefully in his sleep, with his loving wife, Estella by his side.

He was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Wallace Edward Ralph Adams and Lenora Maxine Denton Adams, his brother David Ralph Adams, and his 2 precious daughters Kara Lee Adams and Doniann Marie Adams Mercantel.

He is survived by his wife, Estella Adams, his children, Susan (CJ) Hijazi, Randall Adams, Deanna Adams, Sallye (Ron) Pack, and Kinsey Adams, his loving stepchildren Allen Denbyand Angela (Jim) Paras, sister-in-law Mary Adams, 3 nephews, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA in the Spring of 2024.