Dean Adams

Dean Adams, Sr. of Potosi, Missouri departed this life September 20, 2009 at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center having reached the age of eighty one years, eight months and seven days. He was born on January 13, 1928 at Topeka, Kansas, a son to the late Walter Adams and Mary (Westbrook) Adams.

Dean was born in Topeka, Kansas and his family relocated to Houston, Missouri during the depression. After attending Houston High School, he graduated from Dinwoody Institute with a degree in welding and automotive mechanics. He joined the Navy on March 16, 1945. Dean served four years during WWII on the U.S.S Helena and the U.S.S William Ward Burrows. After the Navy, Dean worked in the automotive industry until opening his own business in 1960 in Potosi, Missouri.

Dean had a passion for car racing and first learned to drive race cars in the pasture by his house. He started racing stock cars in Lebanon, Missouri and he continued pursuing his passion for racing with sprint cars. Over sixty years of racing took Dean from race tracks as far south as Biloxi, Mississippi and as far north as Ohio. He got to race with both his sons several times, which he enjoyed very much. He spoke many times of having Kenny Schrader and Tim Montgomery drive his race car after he could not drive anymore.

Dean was voted, by his many fans, to the St. Francois Raceway Wall of Fame and will be honored at the raceway October 3. He was honored by the Democrat Club as the ?Democrat of the year? on March 6, 2007.

Dean also served as a Washington County Commissioner from 1989-2004. He was a member of the Potosi Southern Baptist Church and became a Christian at an early age.

On May 5, 1984, Dean married Janet Trokey the love of his life. He was proud of the home he built with Janet and enjoyed all of their many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by two brothers Everett Adams, Glen Adams; mothers of his children Mildred Adams and Myrtle Adams.

Those who remain to mourn the passing of his life are his wife Janet Adams of Potosi; Dean Adams, Jr. and girlfriend Rhonda Dean of Bonne Terre; Ted Adams and wife Chris of Potosi; Marvin Adams and wife Cindy of Houston, Missouri; Brenda Adams of Webster Groves; Robin Essmeyer of Potosi; Step daughter Deborah Thompson and husband Leo of Potosi; step son Jon Moffett of Texas; thirteen grandchildren Chris, Kimberly, Amy, Andrea, Deana, Dustin, Ciara, Shaun, Janae, Adam, Ian, Darin, Taylor; six great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends who will sadly miss him.

Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, September 24, 2009 at 11 AM at the Potosi Southern Baptist Church with Rev. H. Wayne Isgriggs officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Adam Coleman Chris Crump, Shaun Thompson, Dustin Adams, Darin Adams and Andy Katzenberger.

Interment and final prayers were held at the New Masonic Cemetery. All arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the DeClue Family Funeral Home.