Donald Lee Adams

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Lee Adams, aka Stone, Donte, Donte’s Steak House, Dadster, Pappy, Little Cat and Plentuntius (his Star Trek Borg Name). Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend passed away peacefully on December 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous seven year battle with cancer. Don was born August 22, 1949, in Ogden, UT to Doris May Adams and Alfred Glen Adams. He was the middle child of five children Roger, Steven, Susan, and Debra who grew up together in Washington Terrace and graduated from Bonneville High School in the class of 1967. 

Don proudly volunteered to serve his country in the Army in November 1968, attending basic training at Fort Ord, CA. He received combat medic training at Fort Sam Houston, TX and served as a surgical technician during the Vietnam War at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, NM until 1971. After serving honorably, Don went to work as an electrician for Mountain Bell Telephone company utilizing skills that he would carry throughout his life and help many in need of a wonderful electrician. His path would lead him back to serving his country by working as a Civil Servant at Hill Air Force Base as a Program Manager for various Air Force projects. He was happy to use his GI Bill to achieve a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Weber State University. Don loved to travel and with his work he was able to see much of the world. His adventures took him to Singapore, Korea, Japan, Denmark, England, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Greece. In addition, Don worked in several different states for the USAF including Vermont, Montana, and Ohio. He was always excited to plan a long road trip to see America and torture his kids with long days of driving, quality time, and making us take turns learning to navigate using road maps. The journey itself was more important to him than the destination. Don was a man of many interests and hobbies. He loved fishing and had many adventures over the years at local lakes with Frank and Steven, several trips to Alaska, and even falling out of a canoe once on a frigid day in November. One of his favorite places to relax and enjoy quiet time was Mill Hollow in the Uintah’s. Don was an avid golfer, and endless hours were spent enjoying time on the course. Whether perfecting his game or creating some memorable swear word combinations, Don loved being out on the green with friends and family in any weather. He was thrilled to achieve a hole-in-one. 

He liked to stay busy and was always up for a project to help others with his expertise. He helped many people over the years with electrical work, home repairs, built Cindy an amazing She-Shed in the backyard, and had one of the most organized garages known to man. He restored a 1940 Ford Coupe, working with grandson Wade and others to bring her back to glory and enjoyed showing it at many car shows, even winning several awards. His love of history and patriotic nature led him to volunteering at the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home and he treasured time with hero residents there. He enjoyed family barbecues (but was not allowed to grill the meat unless you wanted everything double well done), had an amazing sense of sarcastic humor, and appreciated a well-made cup of coffee day or night. He was always ready for a good conversation if he wasn’t distracted by doing two things at once, “squirrel!” Don was a ruthless Parcheesi and Rummy player, who often had a knack for bending game rules at will and an innocent smile when called out on his cheating shenanigans by family. 

Don married his high school sweetheart Cindy Jessop on February 24, 1995. Together they united a blended family, children Gary Staton, South Weber; Jaimee (John) Young, Syracuse; Char (Randy) Adams-Miller, Las Vegas NV; Tom (Traysa) Adams, Ogden; Jenny (Ryan) Bingham, Kaysville; grandchildren, Lauren Goddard (John Leavitt), Lane (Julie) Goddard, Atticus (Monique) Young, Wade and Ava Bingham; great-grandchildren, Dennis Goddard and one on the way, Teddy Goddard. 

In addition to his wife of 29 years, Cindy; Don is also survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings, Steve Adams, Roy; Susan (Frank) Abbott, Ogden; and Debbie Curran, also of Roy. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brother, Roger Adams; and by brother-in-law, Jim Curran. 

We will remember the fun, loving, competitive, trash-talking and hard-working nature of Don. Don believed it was better to do your own work than have someone else do it for you and loved sharing his knowledge with others. He lit up our lives, both literally and figuratively-by doing electrical work on our homes and by making everyone in the room laugh with his infectious sense of humor. Dad had an open heart for everyone entering our lives, he was the first to greet newcomers in the driveway. He embodied the very meaning of what a father is to many, beyond his children. Continually acting as a supportive, guiding figure ready to help solve a multitude of problems. He lived a life full of joy and love. Our hearts are truly broken, and we will miss you every day. 

We love you, Dad!

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the care teams at Huntsman Cancer Institute, Ogden Clinic Skyline, George E. Wahlen Veterans Home, Visiting Angels, and Symbii Hospice. 

In loving memory of Don, we invite you to join us for a celebration of his life on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Community Center at Lindquist’s Office Building, 3434 Washington Blvd. Graveside services will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lindquist’ Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd., where military honors will be accorded. 

We appreciate your support and look forward to honoring Don’s memory together.