Dean D. Cress

Dean Cress, of Bellingham, passed away on July 5, 2018. He was born to David and Clara (Gwinner) Cress in Bellingham while on the family farm on September 28, 1934. After graduation from Mt. Baker High School, where he loved playing football, Dean moved to Seattle for 30 plus years where he retired as a supervisor for the City of Seattle, Engineering Dept. Upon retiring in 1988 he returned to the family farm in Whatcom County. Participating in Boy Scouts as a teen, Dean attended the National Scout Jamboree in 1949 at Valley Forge, PA and earned the rank of Life Scout. He continued as an adult volunteer in Scouting during his sons’ time in Scouting and beyond, earning the highest volunteer award in Scouting, the Silver Beaver. He hiked the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska with Scout Troop 100 in 1980 and led a 50 mile hike across the North Cascades in 1978. In 2001 Dean married Regiena “Gean” Kortus and together they shared 17 wonderful years. Dean was a quiet, ethical, and hardworking man. Always community minded, Dean was a committed member of the Rome Grange for 67 years, serving as Master some of those years and doing whatever needed done without complaint. He also volunteered at their family church in Seattle, doing maintenance and other odd jobs. He loved the outdoors, gardening, barbequing, hunting, and watching football and baseball (go Mariners!), though there was nothing he loved more than spending time at the family home with family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Gean Cress; sons, David (JoAnn) and Dan (Juanita); step-son, Jeff (Sokanha); step-daughter, Marcella (Dave); grandchildren, Katie (Stefan), Abigail, Maria, and Alex; step-grandchildren, Gracie, Landen, Angel, Tyler, Emma, and Lucien; and 1 niece and 1 nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Clara; and his first wife, Elaine (went to heaven in 1994). A memorial service will take place on Thursday, July 19th, 2018 at 1:00PM at Spring Creek Bible Church (567 E Kellogg Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rome Grange (3013 Henderson Rd. Bellingham, WA 98226).

Dean D. Cress

September 28, 1934 - July 5, 2018