Obituary

Donald Edwin Dean, age 80, of Bellingham, Washington, passed away on May 17, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease and advanced dementia.

Born on September 5, 1944, in Westfield, New York, Don was the son of the late Reverend Edwin Dean and Ruth Dean of Salem, Oregon. He attended Cedarville University in Ohio, where he majored in finance and earned his CPA license. Don retired as Controller from Steelhead Communications and prior to that, served as the Chief Financial Officer for Item House in Tacoma for the majority of his career.

Don was a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his three children: daughter Cris Koenigs (Dan) of Suwanee, Georgia; son Ryan Dean (Brigette) of Lynden, Washington; and son Grant Dean (Caprice) of Tacoma, Washington. Don was a proud grandfather to four grandchildren: Evan, Aiden, Madeline, and Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Richard and Robert Dean.

Don served in the United States Navy and was stationed in Coronado, California. He was deployed aboard the USS Constellation, where he served as a member of the flight deck crew and completed one tour in Vietnam. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, love of music, fast cars, and dedication to those he loved. Prior to his illness, Don was an active volunteer and guide with the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center.

A military burial will take place later this year at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Fisher House Foundation.