Chester Dean Adams was born Aug. 12, 1962, in San Francisco, Calif., to Ruth Fragua Adams and Delmar Adams. Tribal Member of the Burns Paiute Tribe; Jemez Pueblo. Dean passed peacefully on June 22, 2024, at his home on the Burns Paiute Reservation, surrounded by his loved ones. He fought till the end to give his love and advice to our future leaders. His love for his family and community was great. His legacy caring for others and showing grace to all. 

Dean is survived by wife, Elise Reed Adams; son, Zachary D. Adams and daughter in-law, Sheanyah Burbank Adams; brother, Thomas and April Adams and family of New Mexico; sister, Rena Adams Smith and Kanim Smith Jr. and family of Warms Springs; and mother in-law, Geneva Accawanna of Utah. Sister in-laws, Sondi Orona of Ariz., Roneva Valdez, Fransisca Accawanna, Spring Accawanna of Utah and uncle, Fred Townsend of Burns. And many nieces, nephews and uncles and aunties. 

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Fragua Adams and Delmar Adams; brothers, Delmar Jr., Rodney P. Adams; grandparents, Rena Adams Beers and Chester Beers, Lenora Fragua and Valentino Fragua and many more loved ones. 

Dean grew up in the bay area and the hardships that came along with being a native in the 60’s. It was then and there where his great pride of his family and a proud Paiute/Jemez man was created. He bragged all the time of being at Alcatraz during the AIM standoff. That was a great stand for our native people.

After Dean’s junior high days, he and the family left the city and moved to good old Burns to be closer to Grandma Rena Adams-Beers. 

Dean graduated from the Burns High School, Class of 1980. He was a great athlete in football, baseball and wrestling for the Hilanders. Dean had many friends with great memories.  During this time, he learned how to make turquoise jewelry from his late father Delmar Adams, a well-known silversmith with many awards under his belt. Learning from the best, Dean’s silverwork was well sought after, being unique and one of a kind. He also is known for his juniper bark “knee” baskets, article  ofn.uoregon.edu, Oregon Culture Keepers 

Dean attended Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls. Dean always had a job, whether it was trail clearing for his dad’s construction company under the forest service contracts or working across the state as a construction heavy equipment operator for numerous companies. That was his highlight of life, making roads across the state.  Through this, he was a great provider not only for others, but his family.

Dean always participated in pow-wows as a fancy dancer while growing up and the family would perform at the Seven falls area in Colorado. He followed the pow-wow trail and Dean became a champion Fancy Dancer, later to have his son follow in his very steps. 

Dean married the love of his life Elise Reed Adams on June 30, 1994, in Utah. Their son, Zachary Delmar Adams, was born in August 1992 in Madras. 

Dean worked for the Warm Springs Tribe-Roads Dept. for many years, then Dean moved his family back to his hometown of Burns in 1997 to take care of our Grandmother Rena. 

Dean created some spectacular turquoise jewelry for his wife Elise, she always had the best of his pieces along with family and friends. Although most of Harney County has rare unique treasures, fine silver and some prize elk teeth pendants or earrings. Dean was very proud to share his talent as a silversmith with anyone interested. Along with a story. Dean was a perfectionist with his signature leaves and clean finished pieces with a signature on every piece. 

Dean mentored several students throughout the years for their senior projects. Also learning from Dean, our son and daughter in law can keep a piece of him going through their work. 

Dean had many talents always connected to his native culture and was a great leader, he served three terms as a Tribal Council Chairman and member of the Burns Paiute Tribe. His legacy will live on. He attributed many improvements for the tribe with Hunting Rights and Casino endeavors.  And was on many boards EPA and USRT (Upper Snake River Tribe board), Northwest Power Planning Council. 

Dean always embraced his culture to the fullest with Grandma, relatives and tribal elders’ stories of hardships which he held dearly to his heart.  He had endless talents and loved being alongside his son hiking, hunting, fishing, camping and soaking in the Harney County lifestyle every chance they could. He also loved to travel to pow-wows and family vacations to Wendover, Nev. Where he would love to hit the jackpot!

Dean will be greatly missed, and we will never forget the valuable things he taught us all. Dean said his life was complete by witnessing his only son’s marriage to his love Nyah. He truly loved His family, especially playing with the babies of the family.  He would do anything for family and friends. Much respect for you, Dean. He was a Warrior in everything he did. Until we meet again, we love you and miss you very much!