Dean D. Cress
September 28, 1934 - July 05, 2018
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Dean D. Cress
September 28, 1934 - July 05, 2018
Obituary
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).
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: July 19, 2018 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Spring Creek Bible Church
- Location: 567 E Kellogg Rd Bellingham, WA 98226 - (Get Directions)
9 responses to Dean D. Cress
Rob and Jill says:
July 5, 2018
We are so sorry for your loss. He was a great man with a great family. Many is the time I trusted his counsel in Grange activities. We will miss him. We will keep you in our prayers.Rob and Jill
Karen Johnson says:
July 5, 2018
So sorry I have lost my cousin. (Only 3 of us 1st cousins left now on the Gwinner side!) Even though we didn’t see a lot of each other, there was always a closeness that I cherished. He was always so good to his “little cousin”!
The memorial video brings back so many memories of days at the home place that I loved. All those photos of the farm took me right back, and oh my, the bear skin rug! That was always of special interest to a kid!
May God bless all of you, and I hope to see Dean again at our home in the sky!
Gina Paquette says:
July 5, 2018
Dean will always have a place in my heart for being the quiet and calm when there were storms around him.I will miss hearing all the great story’s and seeing his face brighten up when we talked about the “good ole days”.
Much love to you Gene, and thank you for letting me be part of Deans life, as much as yours to.
My heart is with you <3
In thought,
Gina
Heidi Raske says:
July 5, 2018
I had the pleasure of meeting Dean just a couple of times, but what I remember is a classy guy, a gentleman with an easy smile and a kind heart.Our love and sympathy to Gean and all the family.
(Heidi and Tom)
Julia says:
July 5, 2018
It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them. (Unknown quote) Dean was an honorable, respected man and I loved him for the way he loved my family. I loved the way he would wise crack and then laugh. He was stubborn, hard headed, had a kind heart and had his own way of doing things as my sister/friend found out. She loved him inclusive of all his traits. I shall miss him.