Delos Charles Adams

Born in Glendale, California, in 1942, Delos was the third of five children born to Dr. Lisle J. and Lola Gunnell Adams. Delos’ parents instilled in him an extremely strong and admirable work ethic and gave him opportunities to develop many interests and talents. He worked on the family property (Etiwanda Ranch) riding on his beloved horse, Scout, and was forever the horseman. He and his dad and brothers, Kent and Rollin, were avid hunters and fishermen and enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips together. Delos played the drums and piano and had a beautiful tenor voice. He was gifted in athletics and excelled in surfing, wrestling and gymnastics. Delos went on to wrestle for BYU. 

Delos served a faithful mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida at the age of 19. He was set apart as a missionary by Elder Gordon B. Hinkley.   Upon returning from his mission, he attended Brigham Young University, where he met the love of his life, Patricia “Patti” Rae Halliday. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1964. Delos and Patti moved to California where Delos went to dental school at the University of Southern California. He excelled in dental school, and due to his artistic abilities and skill in working with his hands, he earned the Louis E. Ford Memorial Award in Crown, Bridge and Ceramics Work. Upon graduating dental school, he and Patti moved to Utah where he set up a thriving dental practice in South Ogden. He found tremendous satisfaction in his career as a dentist and loved creating beautiful smiles for his patients. The atmosphere in his office was special and he had several loyal and skilled employees who worked with him for decades. He blessed many lives with his extraordinary skill as a dentist.

Outside of his career, Delos had a never-ending list of hobbies and enjoyed working with his hands. As a “jack of all trades,” Delos could build anything, grew a fabulous garden, and remembered nearly everything he had ever learned. He often would build, install or fix it himself instead of hiring someone else to do the job. He always had his ducks that would come to him when he called. It should also be said that Delos owns and has read every single book that was ever written by Louis L’Amour.

Delos was passionate about golf and cherished the countless memories playing with his amazing golf friends. He was blessed to play on some of the best courses in the world. He even made his own golf course on his Hooper property that he called “Red Hawk.”  

He was a devoted husband and father. He shared a deep and loving bond with his wife of 55 years, the late Patti Adams. Delos served and loved Patti tenderly and lovingly as she needed care and service in the last years of her life. Delos adored his seven girls (who he often referred to as the constellation “Pleides” – meaning “seven sisters”) and taught them how to work hard and also to play hard. Many of the family adventures involved boating. Delos planned memorable vacations to Lake Powell, Park City, snow-skiing trips, cross-country road-trips, hunting excursions, and countless other adventures. There was never a dull moment when Delos was around. His love of food, adventure, laughter, and people made life magical. His presence will be deeply missed.

Delos loved and believed in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and took every opportunity to teach his girls and grandchildren the principles of the Gospel. He was a life-long student of the scriptures and served faithfully in the church in any capacity that he was called. The temple held a very tender and special place in his heart. 

Surviving family members include his seven daughters, Allison Brumley (Loran); Amy Frei (Greg); April Speelmon (Eric); Amber Zaugg; Ashlee Steoger (Jackson); Angie Bond (Matt); and Amanda Tesch (Jake); his 29 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren (with three on the way); his brother, Rollin Adams (Juanita) and his two sisters, Galene Randall (Harry) and Deanne Taylor (Devon). He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patti; his parents; and his older brother, Kent.  

Funeral services will be held in his honor on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Burch Creek 5^th Ward Chapel, 4955 Adams Avenue. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.